Chelsea: An in-depth analysis on Christopher Nkunku
By Abdul Abdullahi
Christopher Nkunku’s strengths
Nkunku is most notable for his versatility. The 25-year-old is versatile enough to operate out wide on either flank or in support of the striker along the frontline. He even made an appearance as a wing-back under Julian Nagelsmann.
As a top-tier attacker, Nkunku should be used as something other than a fullback or wingback. ‘CN’ is most helpful to a team when he is near the net, so his output skyrocketed when Leipzig switched him from an attacking midfielder to a center-forward.
"“I think attacking midfield is a position that suits me well, close to the goal behind a striker. That describes me as a player nicely so I always like playing in this role.” – Christopher Nkunku"
Nkunku’s dead-ball skills and dribbling prowess are two of his best qualities. He won three penalties last season and scored four direct free-kick goals in the Bundesliga. He also has a respectable penalty conversion rate of eight out of ten. He is equally at ease shooting with either foot, is a proficient finisher, and is a valuable creator, averaging 1.6 key passes per game in the Bundesliga last year.
Only Bournemouth, Southampton, Everton, and Wolverhampton Wanderers scored fewer league goals than Chelsea’s 38 last season, making it the club’s biggest goal-scoring challenge. It doesn’t help that the Blues, more than any other club besides the Toffees, underperformed their expected goals (xG) in the Premier League by 10.7.
Nkunku is capable of scoring more goals than any striker other than Erling Haaland in the Premier League. Be aware that, one: Haaland also played in the Bundesliga. And two: Nkunku has demonstrated his ability to consistently score and create opportunities for himself in the Champions League before anyone brings up the Bundesliga tax.
Nkunku’s use by new manager Mauricio Pochettino still needs to be discovered. Still, given that he has outperformed his xG in each of the previous two campaigns, his arrival should help his team create more and become more proficient in front of goal.