Download the Real Chelsea Fans app for all the latest Chelsea news

Mauricio Pochettino has urged Chelsea fans to be patient, and lower their expectations of Christopher Nkunku.

Nkunku finally made his debut for the Blues during Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final win against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old was brought on in the late stages, as Chelsea pushed for a late equaliser, before Chelsea eventually won the game 4-2 in a penalty shootout.

Fans were excited to see Nkunku, and applauded him when he came on, but Pochettino says it will take another few weeks before the Frenchman begins starting matches.

“Everyone was excited because everyone wanted to see him fit and involved in the game,” head coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters on Nkunku.

“When the results are up and down like they have been from the beginning of the season, I think it is good news. We know very well the quality and the capacity to help the team in a very good way.

“But of course we need to be patient, we need to give time, we need to provide him with the capacity to find his best form. To play from the beginning, I don’t know. It’s too early to start the game.

“But in the next few weeks, the next few games, maybe we are going to consider him in the starting XI. But not at the moment.”