Chelsea’s first signing of 2023 is potentially a brilliant one. The Pride of London detail the capture of Christopher Nkunku and rate the Frenchman.
Well known Journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Stamford Bridge team’s pursuit of Nkunku has ended with the transfer “signed and sealed”. Romano also added his famous line: “here we go”. This effectively confirms a deal before clubs even make announcements.
Christopher Nkunku deal, signed and sealed — here we go now confirmed. All documents and contracts are also signed, it’s 100% closed. 🔵🤝🏻 #CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 17, 2022
French striker can be considered new Chelses player, starting from July 2023. It’s all signed/sealed with RB Leipzig and player side. pic.twitter.com/u0gOytyM4U
The Italian added that documents and contracts have been completed too. Staking his reputation once more, the reporter said the move is ‘100 per cent finalised’. The France international – who would have featured for les Bleus at the World Cup if not for injury – can now be “considered a new Chelsea player” which will be in July 2023, declared Romano.
Chelsea have spent in excess of £300m on attacking players since January 2019, yet can’t shake the feeling Christopher Nkunku’s signing is the first piece of the puzzle. #CFC
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) December 17, 2022
I must admit that this is a recruit I have championed for the Blues for sometime: although cliched, Nkunku has exactly what is missing on Fulham Road. Adam Newson of football.london put it perfectly by stating: ‘the signing is the first piece of the puzzle’.
Will N’golo Kante stay at Chelsea, move to another Premier League club, or go abroad?
Kante’s return timeline has been reported as February next year, which was obviously another blow to Graham Potter’s early tenure at CFC. Though there is more talk around the former Leicester City man’s possible career change than his fitness status in the media at present.
First of all, will Kante re-sign with the west Londoners when his existing contract expires at the 2022/23 season’s culmination? If that scenario was likely, I think he may have already reached a fresh agreement with Chelsea. Of course, a new deal could be made, yet the eventual outcome feels more as though the midfielder will be elsewhere for 2023/24.
The second question we are asking is, shall the soon-to-be 32-year-old switch to a Premier League side or move to a foreign team? Well, when fit, the World Cup winner is still easily effective enough to play EPL football. Would the outfits currently challenging for the English top-flight actually take him at the moment? Maybe not; Kante would probably be a backup player at Liverpool and certainly if at Manchester City, as examples.
And, finally, there are notable clubs in external divisions apparently monitoring how Kante’s situation unfolds. Barcelona are one; a report from last week suggested that Barca are closing in on the diminutive ball-winner. However, this story is slightly isolated in the ‘news’, and further claims are that the Blaugrana have significant concerns over the Paris-born athlete’s injury record, with good reason. Once the January window opens, he is free to negotiate a move away from the Bridge with a free transfer ahead of the summer.