FPL new transfers: Can Nkunku prosper at Chelsea?

Chelsea have finally formally announced Christopher Nkunku’s transfer, having provisionally agreed a deal in late 2022.

It is understood the Blues will pay around £52m for the Frenchman, who has developed into a prolific goalscorer whilst playing for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

So can Nkunku prosper in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), or is there a risk of him struggling in the same way Timo Werner did?

We take a look in this Scout Report piece, where we have included data from our Premium Members Area.

NKUNKU’S HISTORY

Nkunku joined local club Paris Saint-German as a 13-year-old, where he quickly advanced through the youth set-up. He was promoted to the first-team squad in the summer of 2015 and went on to make 55 Ligue 1 appearances, winning 11 trophies on the way.

His final season in France was his best, chipping in with three goals and two assists, before making his move to RB Leipzig in 2019 as one of the last signings by former coach and sporting director Ralf Rangnick.

Given more of a prominent role in Germany, Nkunku thrived. He won the Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2021/22, with his 34 appearances yielding 20 goals – only one of which came from the penalty spot — and 13 assists.

His form in Europe was spectacular, too, scoring seven goals in six Champions League group stage matches and four more on Leipzig’s run to the Europa League semi-finals.

Nkunku finished as the Bundesliga’s joint-top goalscorer in the last campaign, despite starting just 20 league matches after a series of injury setbacks. Overall, the former PSG forward has been involved in 83 goals (47 scored, 36 assists) in 119 Bundesliga appearances.

For France, although originally selected in Didier Deschamps 2022 FIFA World Cup squad, injury forced him to withdraw, though he has been capped eight times.

IN QUOTES

“He has excellent statistics. He started as more of a wide player, but today he’s much more central, acting as a striker or second striker for Leipzig. He has a lot more freedom and he’s closer to the goal, which has made him much more decisive. So of course, we’ll try to use him in a similar way.” – Didier Deschamps, France manager

“I consider that a player like Christopher Nkunku we are unable to define him on a particular position. He is a finisher, he has scored an incredible number of goals in Bundesliga, he is the joint-top scorer in the Bundesliga with 16 goals with [Niclas] Fullkrug. He’s made a number of assists. We don’t know if he’s a left [sided player], we don’t know if he is a support striker, second striker.

I can assure you that I will miss him in the Bundesliga even though it’s not formalised, he should be in the Chelsea side next year. Christopher Nkunku has become, without us really realising it, perhaps one of the best players in the world. In any case, from my point of view, perhaps the best all-rounder from Europe.” – Polo Breitner, pundit

PLAYING STYLE/STATS

What stands out most about Nkunku is his versatility. The 25-year-old is able to play in a number of positions along the frontline, operating out wide on either flank or in support of the striker. Under Julian Nagelsmann, he even popped up as a wing-back.

However, the player himself believes he is at his best centrally, in behind a centre-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

One of Nkunku’s best attributes is his dribbling ability (he won three penalties last season), as well as his dead-ball skills: he scored four direct free-kicks in the Bundesliga and also has a decent record from penalties, converting eight from 10.

Equally comfortable shooting with either foot, he is a clinical finisher and a handy creator, producing 1.6 key passes per game in last season’s Bundesliga.

WHERE NKUNKU FITS IN AT CHELSEA