Chelsea are reportedly among three elite European clubs linked with a move for RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku.
The Blues broke their club transfer record to re-sign striker Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan in the summer, whilst acquiring the services of midfielder Saul Niguez on loan from Atletico Madrid with an option to buy. The west Londoners have enjoyed a strong start to the new Premier League season and sit at the top of the table after the completion of seven games.
However, Chelsea have started planning for the future with manager Thomas Tuchel interested in signing RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku; however, they’ll face competition from Manchester City and Real Madrid, as per French outlet Foot Mercato.
A youth product of the Paris Saint-Germain academy, Christopher Nkunku, 23, made his senior debut for the club during the 2015/16 season and went on to make 78 appearances before sealing a switch to RB Leipzig in the summer of 2019. Since then, the former France under-21 international has continued to impress with his performances in Germany.
The 23-year-old midfielder has made a stellar start to the new season with nine goals and three assists in 10 games across all competitions, including a hat-trick in Leipzig’s 6-3 Champions League defeat to Manchester City last month.
Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea – Is he a better option than Timo Werner?
Timo Werner scoring 32 goals and setting up a further 13 in 43 appearances for RB Leipzig in the 2019/20 season saw Chelsea spend €53 million to acquire his services last summer.
Werner, 25, had a disappointing debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, even though he won the Champions League title. He hasn’t quite lived up to the lofty expectations at the club and continues to be in and out of Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The 25-year-old Germany international’s unexciting performances, coupled with Christian Pulisic’s injury problems and the lack of impact from Hakim Ziyech this term, is perhaps why Thomas Tuchel wants to sign Christopher Nkunku.
Nkunku, a versatile operator, has featured everywhere across the attacking band for Leipzig this season and impressed from every single position. Right-footed and known for his ball-control, dribbling ability and movement, the 23-year-old frequently creates goal-scoring opportunities in the final third and has been scoring goals for fun this term.
Due to his burst of pace and ability to exploit half-spaces, the former France under-21 international forces defences to move. He never shies away from running at defenders and beating them with his speed and dribbling qualities before supplying an incisive pass or a cross in and around the box.
What Nkunku has added to his game this season is composure in front of goal, and there’s every chance he and Lukaku could become a prolific duo at Chelsea, something which Werner has failed in doing so as a pair with the big Belgian so far. Plus, Tuchel himself is already familiar with the French midfielder, having spent a year together at PSG.
If Chelsea are looking to increase their productivity in front of goal as well as boost their strength in depth of the squad, signing Nkunku would be a brilliant idea.