'We need to wait': Mauricio Pochettino says £52m star is back at Cobham but won't play against Tottenham

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says French forward Christopher Nkunku is winning the race to play again this season and could even be fit for the weekend’s game against West Ham. Nkunku has missed a total of 38 games for the Blues across all competition since moving to west London in a deal of around £52million. 

But there could be light at the end of the tunnel with the forward and defender Levi Colwill, who has been battling a toe injury now back training with the team. There were rumours that they could both play a part against Tottenham this evening but Pochettino says they won't make it.

He told reporters ahead of the London derby: “They were training. Today, normally, we prepare the game for tomorrow. We did some set-pieces, tactical work, and meetings. 

“They are nearly there. They are on the line, but they don’t cross the line. We hope they will cross the line for West Ham on Sunday. 

“We hope. But still, we need to wait until tomorrow, Friday and Saturday to see if they can cope with the competition. What it means on the website is that they are close and they are nearly capable.”

Chelsea will miss a total of 14 players for the game with Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi, both played in the gutsy 2-2 draw against Astron Villa but will now miss Spurs due to fresh setbacks. 

This has been the story of the campaign for Argentinian Pochettino with club captain Reece James racing against time to play again this season following hamstring surgery last year. 

There is little clarity on when he will return even though sources say he is desperate to play for England at this summer’s Euros.