Pochettino team news, teasing Nkunku and Lavia

Pochettino hints at team news for Chelsea game, teasing Nkunku and Lavia

Mauricio Pochettino has provided an injury update on Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia. The former forward was dealt a hefty blow to his knee during a pre-season clash against Borussia Dortmund in the United States and has been out of action ever since.

Meanwhile, the latter has been nursing an ankle issue since he arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer and he’s also yet to make his debut for the Blues. Ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Brighton this weekend, Pochettino said replied: “We need to assess tomorrow and then decide. They are close, but we need tomorrow to make a decision.

“Maybe Lavia is the more difficult [one] but we need to assess Nkunku for tomorrow – we don’t believe we can recover some players,” Pochettino added. “But there is one more training session and we can see tomorrow.”

Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that he was disappointed that Moises Caicedo left Brighton to join Chelsea. After the news broke that the Blues beat Liverpool to his signature, the Seagulls boss claimed he has ‘already forgotten’ about him.

Speaking to TNT Sports, De Zerbi said: “I am sorry to lose great players. Caicedo and Mac Allister, I am not happy. But I know very well where I am working, and the policy of the club is like this. We are playing with four attackers

“Last season Mac Allister often played as a number 10, and so we had more control of the game. Now, we are playing with four attacker – Joao Pedro, Ansu Fati, Evan Ferguson and [Danny] Welbeck. They are not a number 10. When they get the ball, they want to score.”

Lukaku to Newcastle?!

Newcastle United are reportedly plotting a surprise move for Chelsea wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian is currently out on loan at AS Roma after struggling to make an impact on the pitch at Stamford Bridge.

Belgian outlet Voetbalkrant have claimed that the Magpies see the striker as an ideal candidate to bolster their attack next season. Eddie Howe’s men have suffered a double injury blow with their two current forwards, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, leaving them facing a possible change next season.

Lukaku’s form for Roma has resulted in the Italian giants considering a permanent move. A report from Calciomercato earlier this season claimed Mourinho’s side were seeking an alternative to the £37million fee and could offer ex-Blues striker Tammy Abraham.