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Cristopher Nkunku: A potential Mesut Ozil replacement?
A thread:
A thread:
After RB Leipzig’s run to the Champions League semi-finals, players such as Timo Werner, Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano all courted interest from Europe’s elite. However, one player has flown under the radar; attacking midfielder Christopher Nkunku.
In this thread I will talk about:
- Nkunku’s background
- His strengths
- His weaknesses
- My opinions on him
- Nkunku’s background
- His strengths
- His weaknesses
- My opinions on him
BACKGROUND
Christopher Nkunku is a 23-year-old French attacking midfielder, currently playing for RB Leipzig. His career started at AS Marolles at age 6, before joining RC Fontainebleau. In 2010, he joined Paris Saint-Germain at age 13, where he stayed for 9 years.
Christopher Nkunku is a 23-year-old French attacking midfielder, currently playing for RB Leipzig. His career started at AS Marolles at age 6, before joining RC Fontainebleau. In 2010, he joined Paris Saint-Germain at age 13, where he stayed for 9 years.
After spending several years with the youth team, he broke into the PSG side in 16/17, playing 8 times. He played 20 times and 22 times respectively in the next two league seasons before joining Leipzig ahead of the 19/20 campaign. He scored 5 goals and assisted 15 last term.
STRENGTHS
Nkunku’s biggest downfall at PSG was his positional versatility has been one of his strengths at Leipzig. The Frenchman has solidified his place as an attacking midfielder, while also playing as a right wing-back and striker last campaign.
Nkunku’s biggest downfall at PSG was his positional versatility has been one of his strengths at Leipzig. The Frenchman has solidified his place as an attacking midfielder, while also playing as a right wing-back and striker last campaign.
Another strength of Nkunku’s is his attacking intelligence. He is very good at finding and exploiting space. This off-the-ball work usually creates chances for him and his teammates. The Frenchman’s footballing IQ allows him to consistently get into good positions.
In the photo below, Nkunku opens up space by passing. He passes to a teammate, dragging out an opposition defender. This allows Nkunku to run into the box, thus creating space for himself. Sabitzer doesn’t see Nkunku, however, and drags his shot wide.
This ability to create chances for himself and his teammates has resulted in Nkunku’s 6.3 attacking actions per 90, the most in Leipzig’s midfield. These chances usually come from finding space and running into the box late, as well as exploiting space between the lines.
