ED SHEERAN may have had a hand in Mauricio Pochettino suffering a crippling blow ahead of Chelsea’s big kick-off.
The Blues faced Borussia Dortmund in their final USA pre-season friendly at Soldier Field in Chicago last night.
But despite a late equaliser from Mason Burstow to rescue a 1-1 draw, the game was overshadowed by new star signing Christopher Nkunku limping off.
The French attacker, who joined for £52million from RB Leipzig, had enjoyed a stunning pre-season with three goals in four games.
But with 20 minutes on the clock, he got his leg caught in the turf when battling Mats Hummels for possession and crumpled to the floor in pain clutching his knee.
Chelsea fans instantly blasted the state of the “shambolic” Soldier Field pitch.
READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
Wantaway PSG star Mbappe ‘OPEN to shock Chelsea move… but there’s a catch’
Win a Lamborghini Aventador + £10k or £145,000 from just 89p with our discount code
A record-breaking 73,000 people had crammed into the stadium just three days earlier to watch British music sensation Sheeran, who sponsors Championship club Ipswich Town.
And with Beyonce and Taylor Swift also performing there over recent weeks, that had left the playing surface noticeably bobbly from the outset.
Now the dodgy looking pitch looks to have handed Poch and Nkunku a huge injury blow going into the Premier League season with the star a doubt for next week’s opener against Liverpool.
Nkunku was spotted walking on the pitch after full-time without a brace, giving Chelsea fans hope there is no long-term damage done.
Most read in Football
Bayern 'to make HUGE Kane bid', Chelsea 'eye Mbappe', Liverpool in for Lavia
NFL legend Tom Brady becomes joint owner of English football team
Greenwood LATEST, Hojlund DELAY, Goretzka 'LINKED', takeover updates
Premier League star, 33, denies speeding & failing to provide info to cops
DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
Poch also tried to alleviate fears with an update – and refused to slam the dodgy surface for the injury.
The Argentine boss said: "I don't want to complain. We took some risks because the pitch is not perfect because the facilities are used for a different sport. We won't blame the pitch for the injury though. For me, it was bad luck.
"That is sometimes the risk of the tour. But I think it was a little bit unlucky the situation. We can't complain about the pitch.
"The doctors are checking him and I hope it is not a big issue. He fell in the action which was maybe a penalty and he feels something in his knee but we hope it is nothing big.
"We hope he can be back quickly with the team. We need a few days to assess him."
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football
Source: Read Full Article
