Chelsea Boss Pochettino ‘Worried’ By Nkunku Injury

Published

2 years ago

January 12, 2024

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino admits he is “worried” by France forward Christopher Nkunku’s latest injury setback.

Nkunku has missed Chelsea’s last two games with a hip problem after being sidelined for much of the season due to a knee injury.

The 26-year-old has made only one Premier League start since his close-season move from Leipzig and Pochettino conceded on Friday that the latest setback is “complicated”.

“I am worried about the situation of Nkunku. (It has been) now 10 days that he can’t train. We’re assessing him,” Pochettino told reporters ahead of Saturday’s London derby against Fulham.

“He suffered a small issue and it became complicated. After six months that we were waiting for him, he was so close to feeling comfortable.

“We’re disappointed. We want him as soon as possible.”

Nkunku was made to wait until December for his first start following a prolonged recovery from his pre-season knee problem.

He scored on his top-flight debut in the 2-1 defeat at Wolves on Christmas Eve and he made his full debut three days later against Crystal Palace.

Nkunku’s fresh absence places further pressure on Pochettino’s limited attacking options, with Nicolas Jackson on Africa Cup of Nations duty for Senegal at present.

Pochettino urged Chelsea to beat Fulham this weekend to erase the frustration from Tuesday’s shock defeat at second tier Middlesbrough in the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals.

“It’s true that after the first 90 minutes we are 1-0 down. We need to keep the belief, the team is preparing well. I’m so sure we’ll do a good job,” Pochettino said.

“But when you lose a game to a Championship team, you need to accept the criticism. We have the chance on Saturday to put all these bad feelings out by performing in the right way.”

CRASH: Anthony Joshua Opens Up On Friends’ Death

Published

19 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has said the death of his two friends posed a tough time for him.

Recall that a car conveying the boxer earlier this month, rammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The accident claimed that lives of his personal trainer, Kevin Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, the former heavyweight champion said it was tough for him.

Joshua acknowledged that the incident was “even tougher” for the parents of the deceased.

He wrote, “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are.

“I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.

“100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.”

NPFL: Kano Pillars Sack Two Players

Published

19 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Kano Pillars have announced the departure of the duo of Umar Sani Yakasai Samuel Tiza.

Yakasai and Tiza’s contracts were terminated by the Kano-based club.

The Sai Masu Gida confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

“Kano Pillars FC wishes to announce that, following a mutual understanding, the club have amicably parted ways with striker Samuel Tiza and midfielder Umar Sani Yakasai,” Kano Pillars wrote in a statement confirming the players departure.

“Both players will now continue their careers elsewhere ahead of the second stanza of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season.”

Kano Pillars is expected to make up for their departure with the signing of new players.

Sports

AFCON: It’s Not Possible – NSC On Super Eagles Players Requesting Cash Payment

Published

19 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Shehu Dikko, has insisted that it is not possible to pay the Super Eagles of Nigeria their match bonus in cash.

Dikko stated this while clarifying the situation about Super Eagles match bonuses following reports of players threatening to boycott training and refusing to travel to Marrakech for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, quarter-final clash against Algeria on Saturday.

He spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

“Clearly, the players requested whether they could get some of these in cash, and they were told it’s not possible,” Dikko said.

“These bonuses are not paid in cash; they have to be paid through the bank, which is the normal procedure.

“The only ones they agreed to pay in cash are the daily allowances.”

The Super Eagles progressed to the last-8 after humiliating Mozambique 4-0 in the AFCON Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Doris Nkiruka-Anite, had earlier disclosed that the Super Eagles players will start receiving their bonus money alerts today or tomorrow before the Algeria clash.