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Mauricio Pochettino has allayed concerns about Chelsea’s limited attacking options by claiming the side have ‘enough’ despite the departure of Armando Broja.
The academy graduate booked a late move to West London as the January window closed at 11pm last night and Chelsea failed to recruit a replacement.
The West London club have struggled to find consistent scoring options in their squad and were tipped to look for a striker during the window, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gykoreres and Brentford’s Ivan Toney among those discussed options belonged.
But instead Chelsea went without and will have to wait for the return of the fully fit Christopher Nkunku to help the uneven Nicolas Jackson into the lead.
“It is important to (wait for) Christopher (Nkunku’s recovery),” Pochettino reassured reporters ahead of Chelsea’s meeting with Wolves on Sunday. “And today Nico Jackson arrived (back from AFCON).
Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed concerns that Chelsea do not have enough attacking options following the loan of Armando Broja
The head coach will look to bounce back quickly from the midweek defeat to Liverpool
Broja signed for west London rivals Fulham when the January transfer window closed on Thursday
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“We also forget sometimes, but Deivid Washington is here with us.
‘I think the options we have in advance are sufficient.’
The head coach wished Broja well at Craven Cottage, where he will spend the rest of the season on loan after interested clubs failed to bite on the player’s hefty £50million asking price earlier last month.
“I think it’s very good for him that he gets the chance to maybe play more,” Pochettino said. ‘It’s a good move on his part.
‘I hope he can take the opportunity to play more.’
Nkunku continues to recover from a setback following his return from long-term injury, and before Chelsea’s dismal trip to Anfield in midweek he had missed the club’s last five games due to a hip problem.
The France international was brought on to play the second half against Liverpool and scored the visitors’ only goal in the weak 4-1 draw.
Christopher Nkunku scored the only goal for Chelsea in their lackluster performance at Anfield
“It’s good to see him, but just that we have to anticipate,” Pochettino said of his striker. ’45 minutes was good, after we wanted to work a little more after the match, but he can’t. 45 minutes is enough for him.
‘We have to analyze and assess him to see if he can start the next match. We hope he can keep up with the demand of the game and perhaps play more than 45 minutes. We must continue to work with him.
The Argentine manager stressed that the club intends to regain its ‘confidence and fitness’.
“He has to work very hard to get the best out of himself,” Pochettino added. “(I’m) happy with the way he’s helping the team, but we have to be careful when we push him to be the best.”