Chelsea head in opposite direction to Spurs as two key players near return

talksport.com, 10 November 2023, 14:29

Chelsea fans have been given a double boost following the updates on the injuries to both Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia.

The Blues, fresh off their 4-1 victory over Tottenham last Monday, face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Spurs saw two players handed long-term injuries in that match, with James Maddison and Micky van de Ven ruled out until the New Year.

But Pochettino gave Chelsea fans a positive update on the current situation surrounding both Nkunku and Lavia, although the game against Pep Guardiola's side will come too soon.

"We had some conversation and he [Cristopher Nkunku] said to me I want to be ready for after international break, Newcastle," Pochettino told reporters previewing their Sunday showdown.

"I asked him yesterday and he said hmmm, and I said you are liar.

James was ready to risk knee for England, now Chelsea star asks Southgate to leave him out

Sarina Wiegman praises 'incredible' Emma Hayes - who could soon become biggest rival

"It is close and he is really well. We are happy with him."

The 51-year-old Argentinian tactician also provided an update on Lavia's fitness.

Chelsea beat Liverpool to the midfielder in a £58m deal from Southampton in August.

The 19-year-old is yet to feature for the Blues, though, but could soon be handed his debut for the club.

Tottenham handed double injury blow as key duo ruled out until New Year

Grealish hits back at 'clown' ex-Aston Villa manager over 'story that never happened'

I've heard Man United have set deadline for Erik ten Hag to avoid sack

Long-standing Florentino Perez rule may be why Jude Bellingham took no.5 at Real Madrid

"Romeo Lavia is also close. He trained today on the pitch. Hopefully with the team next week," Pochettino added.

Chelsea have not beaten Guardiola's side since their 1-0 Champions League final triumph back in 2021.

Chelsea fans react to Simon Jordan's claim that they can win the Premier League

After playing City in both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup last season, the Blues have failed to win their last six meetings with them.

Read full version: https://talksport.com/football/1637357/chelsea-mauricio-pochettino-christopher-nkunku-romeo-lavia-injury/

Chelsea
Christo
Christopher Nkunku
Cristo
Double
Emma Hayes
Guardiola
Hayes
Inter
James Maddison
Man City
Manchester City
Mauricio Pochettino
Micky van de Ven
Newcastle
Pep Guardiola
Play
Pochettino
Premier League
Ready
Romeo Lavia
Sarina Wiegman
Spurs
Tottenham
Updates

Top News

14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England moved to the top of their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League group on Thursday evening courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Greece. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Didier Deschamps was left frustrated on Thursday as his France side failed to capitalise on their dominance against Israel, being held to a 0-0 draw, though they still progressed to the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals after Italy beat Belgium in the other League A Group 2 fixture. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England have risen to the top of Group 2 of League B in the UEFA Nations League courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Greece in Athens on Thursday night. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sandro Tonali's first international goal was enough to send Italy through to the finals of the UEFA Nations League courtesy of a 1-0 win away in Belgium this evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women and Manchester City Women will go head-to-head in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash at Stamford Bridge. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola has asked Manchester City to sign two defenders in 2025, according to a report. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Al-Nassr centre-back Aymeric Laporte has said that he is open to making the move to Real Madrid. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona sporting director Deco has said that his club are not planning to be active during the January transfer window. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Moldova can boost their hopes of securing promotion from League D Group 2 in the UEFA Nations League when they face fellow European minnows Andorra at Estadi Nacional on Saturday. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Montenegro welcome Iceland to Stadion Kraj Bistrice in Niksic for their penultimate League B Group 4 fixture in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women will be looking to secure derby bragging rights when they face off in Saturday's Women's Super League clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nacho has ruled out the possibility of returning to Real Madrid amid suggestions that Los Blancos were considering making an attempt to re-sign him during the January transfer window. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams with contrasting objectives in the National League are set to meet at the Gateshead International Stadium on Saturday, as promotion hopefuls Gateshead host relegation-threatened Aldershot Town. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim will reportedly take Manchester United training for the first time on Monday, with the club confident that his visa will have arrived in time for him to officially get on the grass next week. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has said that a back issue forced Lisandro Martinez to pull out of the squad for the national team's upcoming 2026 World Cup qualification matches with Paraguay and Peru. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly set his sights on an exit from the club next summer, and plans to take key man Alex Grimaldo with him. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Locked together at the top of League C Group 1 with two games to play, Sweden and Slovakia will battle it out to take the outright lead when they meet on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal will reportedly allow out-of-favour defender Jakub Kiwior to leave the club on loan in January. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wales travel to the Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri to face Turkey in their penultimate League B Group 4 fixture in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona midfielder Pablo Torre has not ruled out the possibility of leaving the club in January, after seeing his game time reduced recently. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to narrow their gap to the top two in the League One table with a third consecutive victory, Barnsley will visit the Abbey Stadium to take on Cambridge United on Saturday. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alexander Isak has delivered a fresh update on his future at Newcastle United, amid reported interest from a number of clubs including Arsenal. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United Women will attempt to claim back-to-back victories when they travel to the Broadfield Stadium for Saturday's Women's Super League meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion Women. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Roma have confirmed the appointment of 73-year-old Claudio Ranieri as their new first-team manager until the end of the season. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has revealed that he was "desperate" to join Chelsea in 2022. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal could rival Manchester City and Liverpool for the signature of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly weighing up whether to make a move for in-form PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As exquisite as Pedro Neto's equaliser was, the Portuguese's 20-yard leveller for Chelsea in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Arsenal was arguably more to do with the Gunners' uncharacteristic defensive failings. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly made a decision over whether they will pursue a move for Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Estevao Willian has revealed that he will continue with his education even after completing a big-money transfer to Chelsea.