Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia WON’T be ready for Chelsea debuts against Newcastle this weekend, reveals Mauricio Pochettino – as he warns the £53m striker he’s got ‘massive competition’ to earn his spot

Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia will not be available for Chelsea’s trip to Newcastle, Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed. 

Fans were excited about the prospect of seeing Nkunku return to training this week and speculated that he could be in the picture at St James’ Park. 

Pochettino revealed that Levi Colwill would be in the squad but played down expectations about an imminent return for Nkunku, insisting he needs patience after his £53m summer move from RB Leipzig. 

He said: ‘Lavia and Nkunku [are] still out. it’s difficult to assess them. They are in a good condition. Nkunku is ahead of Lavia and was doing things with the group last week but has not recovered fully to be part of the squad.

‘It was nice to see him run on the grass and it was a massive motivation for him to be there.

Christopher Nkunku will not be part of Chelsea’s squad against Newcastle despite training 

Romeo Lavia will also be absent and is slightly behind Nkunku in the recovery process 

Mauricio Pochettino said Nkunku will face ‘massive competition’ for a place in the team 

‘Last week, in few training sessions, still he’s not fully recovered to be part of the tactical sessions. He’s a fantastic player that was the top scorer in the Bundesliga and he can play in different positions. 

‘Really bad luck to lose him for the beginning of the season. Step by step we will find the best way for him to fit in the team. He needs to build his form and be in his best XI to then compete with players. 

‘Now he is going to find massive competiton because all his team-mates are ahead of him.

‘We need patience with him. He came from the Bundesliga. He needs to recover from his injury and know the culture and the league. He needs to have time to perform at his best. ‘

Pochettino was also asked about the rise of Cole Palmer, who has scored four penalties for the Blues this season and made his England debut against Malta, and how to kepe him grounded.

He said: ‘Maybe you read my mind because we were talking in the last few weeks to keep players at their best. It’s about keeping them outside of their comfort zone after playing a few games well. Our responsibility is to push him every day.

‘That is why we signed him – because we believe in him. But Man City won the Champions League and the Premier League and it’s never easy to compete with big players. Maybe with us it is easier. To keep pushing him and all the players to be their best.

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