In a context of Didier Deschamps’ first list without the young retiree Antoine Griezmann and with the contested absence of Kylian Mbappé for this gathering, the return of Christopher Nkunku practically went unnoticed. However, the Chelsea attacking player is in great shape. But isn’t this tricolor jersey, which he has not worn since June 2023, too heavy for his shoulders? One thing is certain, at 26 years old, the Frenchman does not have many cartridges left to prove that he has his place in this France group.
First Hat-trick in Blue and to the next round. 💙 pic.twitter.com/5xAtNDl6CE
— Christopher Nkunku (@C__nk97) September 24, 2024
Injuries and energy
Transferred to England in the summer of 2023 for 60 million euros, Nkunku was to take on a new dimension with the Blues after passing a milestone in Germany. Problem, his knee decided otherwise. After an almost blank year, marred by repeated injuries (36 matches missed in all competitions), the player trained at Paris-SG can finally show all his potential under his new colors. Not yet an indisputable starter, the native of Lagny-sur-Marne makes an impression with his 7 pawns in 11 matches, including a hat-trick in the League Cup and his 16th goal in the European Cup.
He doesn’t have excessive playing time at Chelsea, but when he plays, he has lots of energy.
Didier Deschamps
These performances did not escape Didier Deschamps. “He hasn’t been here for a while, because he unfortunately suffered a lot of injuries which prevented him from having continuity. He doesn’t have excessive playing time at Chelsea, but when he plays, he has lots of energypointed out the French coach. In his progress, injuries were a major obstacle. I’m glad he can be rid of that. Stringing together good performances and increasing his playing time should allow him to return to his best level. » Called up for the first time with the France team in March 2022, the striker of Blues has only 10 small selections for 2 assists and has never experienced a major international competition, the fault in particular of a knee sprain which occurred on the eve of departure for Qatar. An anomaly considering his potential, like his teammate Wesley Fofana, also selected for this gathering.
Find a suit that fits you
Talent is not enough in selection. You have to find a place in group life and stand out from the competition, especially since Deschamps has well-established favorites in the offensive sector. Nkunku has several strings to his bow, but isn’t his versatility also a hindrance? Positioned as second striker, left winger and right midfielder by Didier Deschamps during his limited playing time with the Blues, the Parisian titi often struggled to find his place in this team. Also because the position where he performs best is in the center, as number 10, or even false 9. A position long monopolized by a certain Antoine Griezmann.
“Griezmann is irreplaceable”
Christopher Nkunku pays tribute to Antoine Griezmann, just retired from the France team 🇫🇷#UECL pic.twitter.com/mwxfLLmHrz
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) October 3, 2024
Announced rather clumsily as its natural successorNkunku did not fall into the trap at the microphone of the Ligue Conference broadcaster: “Replace him? I think that’s a big word. Griezmann is irreplaceable with what he brought to the France team. The image he has in the French team, everything he has brought… There is a long way to go before we can replace him. » Long and even winding. The former Leipzig player will certainly never have a third of the journey of “Grizou” with the Blues, but he can bring a lot to this team, and Deschamps could use him in this role of a hardworking player capable of being decisive in areas of truth. This is a new milestone to pass so that his story with the selection does not remain unfinished. Let him rest assured: at Chelsea as with the French team, he will be able to continue to celebrate his goals by inflating blue balloons.
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