Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has identified forward Christopher Nkunku as a big loss for the Blues.

Cole believes Nkunku’s absence has affected Chelsea’s form in the Premier League this season.

Nkunku sustained a knee injury earlier this month and will most likely be out of action for Mauricio Pochettino’s side until November.

The France international had a great pre-season for Chelsea, scoring against Fulham, Brighton, and Wrexham in their respective friendlies.

And Cole believes Nkunku’s attacking output will be a huge miss for Chelsea as he remains sidelined due to his injury.

“I really feel it is going to be a problem in terms of goals.

“Whether Nkunku comes back quicker than we think, I don’t know. For me, he is a big loss,” Cole told Sky Sports.

Chelsea have drawn one and lost one of their first two Premier League matches of the new season in Nkunku’s absence.