Video Scouting Report: Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
- Physical and Technical Strengths
- Where he fits at Chelsea
- Areas to improve on
- How to get the best out of him
As always, all comments, feedback, shares are very warmly appreciated!
- Physical and Technical Strengths
- Where he fits at Chelsea
- Areas to improve on
- How to get the best out of him
As always, all comments, feedback, shares are very warmly appreciated!
25 y.o Nkunku notched 64 goals & 38 assists in all competitions for Leipzig since 2019. So what makes Nkunku such an exhilarating attacking force? If you'd like to hear a full 60 minute detailed insight into him, you can find my ep for @LondonBluePod here:
Education: Since his time at PSG, Nkunku has played a variety of roles – #8 under Unai Emery, as a WB for Thomas Tuchel, as a winger/CF at RBL under multiple managers. Versatility has enriched Nkunku's footballing intelligence and attributes, which he applied well to his game.
System: Has played in varied roles/systems but has been best centrally as an AM/SS (4-2-3-1/3-4-2-1) or as a 2nd CF (4-2-2-2). A lot of his forward play is enhanced with the presence of a conventional 9 to occupy CBs, allowing him to pick spaces behind or between lines.
Technical Strengths – Fundamentals: Before we dive in, some tenets shape Nkunku's standout technical brilliance. The first, is his spatial awareness. His instinctual awareness of space is down to frequent scanning. Here, for ex, he scans 8x in 13 seconds.
This enhances all aspects of his play. Here, 3 quick scans in a second (before receiving) allows him to map out the att. 3rd. It allows him to set up the clever flick almost instantaneously. What looks like a cheeky flick is a well-calculated action.
His spatial awareness also affords him valuable seconds. Here, he scans, finds space, takes a touch on the turn with his less-preferred left foot. The result: effortless turn facing the goal, in space, with time & the ball on his stronger right.
Dribbling: Nkunku's footwork in tight spaces is at times, exhilarating. He uses both feet comfortably & is very agile, which helps him dance away from heavy pressure. Kind of ball control you'd expect from a Futsal international.
A lot of Nkunku's dribbling is based on deception. Body feints aside, one recurring pattern is how he baits the opponent into a challenge – side-on stance, taking a decoy touch to draw a challenge, before knocking it past the opponent.
Touch under pressure: Nimble footwork, agility and spatial awareness combined make Nkunku a very capable receiver under pressure. In tight spaces, he is able to take deft touches to maneuver into favourable spaces, making him lethal in the box.
Physical Strengths – Acceleration + balance: Ability to explode off a standing start with a short burst (3 seconds) is handy. He uses it often (392 this season, 13th in Bundesliga) and his balance allows him to keep control of the ball even at top speed.
Upper Body Strength: After being rejected by Monaco/Lens at an early age for being too slight, his upper body is now a useful tool. Uses it to absorb medium contact while dribbling, also to shield the ball and drawing fouls when required.
Tactical Strengths – Movement: After being moved to CF, Nkunku's movement has seen exponential improvement. Earlier, he was limited by the touchline out wide or had to drop deep to find space, but is now capable of generating and exploiting space in the final 3rd and in the box.
Movement (Last Line): A short burst of acceleration & good appraisal of space often sees him burst in behind the last line of defence; either making a run between CBs, or on the blindside of a fullback when the defence squeezes narrow.
Movement (Last Line): Nkunku is also very clever at using a CB's move to step out as a trigger for a run. Note how quickly he adjusts to run into the vacated space, often gaining space and time to utilize his shooting. Finding these runs is key.
Movement (Between Lines): Nkunku can also drop deep to collect in space, distribute wide, before making elusive runs to the edge of the box. He is best when a CF occupies opp. CBs, allowing him to exploit space between CBs or between CBs and midfield.
Movement (Evasion): A key benefit from playing at CF has been how well he has picked up forward movements. Can now deceive markers by dragging them away before quickly bursting into the space he creates. These micro-adjustments make him difficult to mark
Movement (Generating Space): His intelligence also sees him create space for others (something he utilizes more and more as a CF.) Often makes diagonal runs to pull away markers and open space elsewhere for teammates.
Vision: Having played as an 8 + an acute interpretation of space, makes him a creative force. He has a varied set of tools – from throughballs to pierce the last line to diagonals into channel runners. Has created 39 big chances in the last 3 seasons.
Pausa/Weak Foot: Nkunku's faith in his technical & physical skills also influences the timing of his pass. This allows him to gain an invaluable extra second which allows him to delay for an ideal pass. His less-preferred left foot is strong + accurate.
Defensive Work: Works extremely hard & offers intensity while defending from the front (had 22-23 pressures/90 in early 21/22 putting him in top 1-2 percentile.) Often runs back & tracks runners, but when CF, tends to focus more on exploiting transitions.
Finishing: Nkunku can shoot with either foot & has a plethora of finishes, from delicate chips to long rangers. Agility allows him to create separation quickly. Composure in front of goal is good + last 6 seasons he has underperformed on npxG only twice.
Linkup Play: Learning to play as a CF has also helped polish his ability to link up with teammates. Prefers quick pass + move sequences and knocks short passes into space for runners. Also offers a nice "wall" passing option for teammates.
Set Pieces: Very good direct FK taker from either side. Is also a good corner taker (in-swinging corners) and has notched assists with accurate deliveries. Could offer an interesting option for freekicks on the right as Alonso has moved on.
Weaknesses – Penalties: Has a pretty good record (8/10) but tends to always go to the keeper's right (9/10.) The only time he has gone the other way (vs Rennes), he missed. Needs to be more unpredictable from the spot in order to be a reliable and frequent taker.
Current Injury: Was ruled out of 2022 WC after a torn outer knee ligament. Some concerns over whether he will return the same player physically/psychologically post-rehabilitation, considering explosiveness over short bursts is a key part of his game.
Ineffectual at occupying CBs: Like Havertz, arguably best when moving into the box rather than occupying it at all times. Perhaps still lacking physical qualities to be an effective box threat vs PL CBs. Could struggle if asked to play as the furthest forward like Kai.
The similarities in off-the-ball respects to Werner, Havertz could also be of concern. Both offered a high volume of quality runs in behind the last line, but were rarely picked out. It's probably why Nkunku isn't the final piece of the jigsaw one, just another important one.
How to use Nkunku: May sound weird, but should be used like Busquets plays in the first phase. Teammates should use his ability in tight spaces to play short passes off him into better positions. Attackers should be looking to exploit space he creates.
A lot of his movements rely on a CF occupying opp. CBs, so playing him with one would be ideal. Out wide, shouldn't be used as a conventional winger, but one allowed to drift centrally (his hattrick vs City came as a RW ghosting into spaces behind Silva, leaving Zinchenko at LB.)
At Chelsea, he could work in a 3-4-2-1 as the LAM, behind a CF (whether that is Auba or Kai will be interesting) or paired as part of a front two. He is not a LW and not a CM. He should be played centrally, close to the last line & afforded flexibility to pick his pockets.
However, a major part of his success will depend on whether his new teammates can shake off their risk-averse, stale approach in recent times. Nkunku is excellent at keeping the ball in tight spaces; picking him out quickly in these situations will yield favourable outcomes.
@TheDevilsDNA as promised!
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