Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku Out For "Extended Period" After Undergoing Surgery To Treat Knee Injury

Chelsea summer signing Christopher Nkunku has been ruled out for an "extended period", likely around 16 weeks, after undergoing surgery to treat a knee injury.

Christopher Nkunku might have to wait until December to make his Chelsea debut.

The 25-year-old France forward joined the Blues from RB Leipzig in a deal worth around £52 million in June.

It had been hoped that Nkunku would begin his Premier League career by facing Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but he suffered a knee injury last week in a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly.

Christopher Nkunku pictured on the ground after suffering a knee injury during Chelsea's 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund last week :: IMAGO/Sports Press Photo/Shaina Benhiyoun

Chelsea revealed on Tuesday that Nkunku has since undergone surgery on his knee. It is feared that it could be 16 weeks before he is able to resume training.

A club statement read: "Nkunku has sustained a knee injury which will rule the forward out for an extended period.

"The 25-year-old has undergone an operation and will now begin a rehabilitation programme with the club's medical department."

With Nkunku now unavailable for the foreseeable future, fellow summer signing Nicolas Jackson is expected to start the season as Chelsea's first-choice central striker.