Talking Tactics

Nkunku's all-action style can boost Chelsea attack

23 Jun 2023

Adrian Clarke on how Frenchman's pace, power and finishing will be big asset for new head coach Pochettino

Adrian Clarke looks at summer signings and what impact they will have at their new clubs.

Player analysis: Christopher Nkunku (CHE)

Chelsea lacked dynamism and a clinical edge inside the final third last season, and both these areas should be enhanced by the arrival of Nkunku.

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The Frenchman, who can play up front but is at his best as a rampaging No 10, loves to surge into the box and score on a regular basis.

Nkunku made 53 direct goal contributions (36 goals, 17 assists) across his final two Bundesliga seasons at RB Leipzig, finding the back of the net himself once every 128.7 minutes during that period.

His powerful runs, close control and adaptable finishing are sure to be a huge asset for Chelsea's new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Two-footed threat

Nkunku is naturally right-footed, but inside the area, he will not hesitate to strike the ball with either boot when opportunities present themselves.

From a central-attacking midfield role, the 25-year-old uses his terrific acceleration to burst into the area and in those positions he is a major threat.

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Once on the ball in shooting range, Nkunku’s trademark finish, with his left or right, is to go across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

Overall, he scored 23 domestic goals in the Bundesliga, German Cup and German Super Cup last season.

How Nkunku scored his goals 2022/23

Type	Goals
Penalty	5
Direct free-kick	2
Open-play left foot	7
Open-play right foot	7
Open-play header	2

Scoring twice from free-kicks last season, Nkunku is an accomplished taker of dead balls.

His ability to curl free-kicks over a wall into the top corner will provide Chelsea with an added dimension. He also likes to take penalties.

Providing the unexpected

Last season Chelsea scored only 38 goals in 38 Premier League matches, registering a big-chance conversion rate of 26.76 per cent, the lowest in the division.

While their profligacy was clear, the Blues also lacked a little cohesion and enterprise, making too many passes in front of opposition sides.

Unexpected runs in beyond the last defender were also in short supply.

Nkunku’s arrival, coupled with Pochettino’s attacking mantra, should make Chelsea become far more exciting and penetrative this season.

He is a forward who targets space in behind full-backs or central defenders and has the pace to stretch them.

Nkunku's Bundesliga stats 2022/23

Type	Per 90	Rank
Non-penalty xG	0.5	3rd
Non-penalty shots	3.3	5th
Goal ending ball carries	3.0	=5th
Open-play chances created	1.7	10th

Nkunku also travels confidently with the ball, using his speed to go past opponents or by turning sharply in tight areas.

If he had made more than 20 Bundesliga starts, he would almost certainly have been close to the top of the rankings for chance-ending ball carries.

With that limited time Nkunku still scored three goals and assisted twice from impressive carries.

Chelsea will not compete in European football this season, but across the last two seasons, Nkunku proved he can thrive in that environment, scoring 10 times in 13 appearances.

Last season, he scored against Celtic, Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid during the group stages.

Nkunku in UEFA Champions League 2022/23

Type	Per 90
Open-play shots	2.4
Take-ons	3.0
Open-play chances created	1.6

A series of injuries plagued Nkunku in 2022/23, yet despite this disruption, his impressive output meant he shared the Bundesliga Golden Boot with 16 goals.

Pochettino will likely play Nkunku as a central attacking midfielder, or as a left-sided forward, and from those positions he should achieve double figures for league goals.

If Nkunku is fit and settles quickly, Chelsea fans will be in for a treat.