Chelsea fans fuming with 'disgraceful' pitch as Christopher Nkunku hobbles off injured in US friendly

Chelsea have been dealt a major blow with Christopher Nkunku hobbling off injured during a preseason friendly.

The Blues were taking on German giants Borussia Dortmund in their tour of the United States when new signing Nkunku landed awkwardly on his knee.

Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff collectively held their breath as the big-money recruit received treatment on the pitch.

The pitch has its first victim: Nkunku off injured after 22 mins. Appears to be his left knee. Mudryk on

— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) August 3, 2023

But unfortunately for Chelsea fans, he was unable to continue and was ultimately substituted off.

Depending on how serious the injury is, it could be a big blow to Chelsea's rebuild as they push to redeem themselves after last season's blushes.

But while the severity of the incident is yet to be confirmed, Blues fans are posting their fingers at the pitch.

Chelsea face Dortmund tonight on this pitch…

WHAT. THE. F*CK. 😱 pic.twitter.com/rVvSDCuerO

— Barstool Football (@StoolFootball) August 2, 2023

Just at the glance, Soldier Field in Chicago doesn't look like it boasts a particularly pleasant plying surface with the ball bobbling around all over the place.

Now fans have flocked to social media to vent their frustrations, many of whom calling the pitch 'disgraceful' and directly blaming it for Nkunku's injury.

Nkunku off for Mudryk, you have to blame the pitch. https://t.co/rwAEol54jI

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) August 3, 2023

Nkunku leaving. Clearly happened on the almost goal for Nicolas Jackson. Awkward contact but idc, I’m still blaming the pitch. It’s shambolic.

— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) August 3, 2023

We finally see a bit of what Nkunku and Jackson can do with their link up only for NKUNKU TO GET INJURED ON THIS WARZONE OF A PITCH!!! 😤

I am pissed ngl, we play Liverpool in 10 DAYS!

— Dean (@DeanCFC_) August 3, 2023

This pitch is an actual disgrace.

How are we going to lose Nkunku to injury already and it’s only been 20 minutes?

— Futbol Chelsea (@FutbolCheIsea) August 3, 2023

Nkunku holding his knee and down. Doesn’t look comfortable. Subbed off for Mudryk on this disgraceful pitch.

— CFCDaily (@CFCDaily) August 3, 2023

One fan described it as: "A war zone of a pitch."

While another added: "I'm still blaming the pitch, it's shambolic."

As one Chelsea fan page tweeted: "This pitch is an actual disgrace. How are we going to lose Nkunku to injury already and it’s only been 20 minutes?"

Nkunku arrives in west London with big expectations after finishing top scorer of the Bundesliga last season.

But the Premier League season hasn't even started yet and the Blues are already low on attacking firepower, it seems.