Chelsea-bound Christopher Nkunku Celebrates Scoring His First Goal For RB Leipzig Since His Return After Multiple Injuries.
Chelsea-bound Christopher Nkunku scores his first goal since last November following multiple injuries.
The Frenchman has been recently sidelined as a result of a torn muscle, with his latest appearances coming off the bench.
He had not scored a goal since 9th November 2022, in a game against SC Freiburg which Leipzig won 3-1 at home.
Nkunku had previously returned from an initial injury after spraining his knee during France training just days before the 2022 World Cup started in Qatar, but he suffered another major injury setback, as he picked up a thigh strain in the 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on March 3.
However, the 25-year-old was named in the Leipzig starting XI for the visit of Hoffenheim on Saturday for the first time in under two months, and made an instant impact.
In the 28th minute of the encounter at the Red Bull Arena, Nkunku got on the end of Emil Forsberg’s pass and was clinical in front of the visiting goalkeeper, striking a low finish into the bottom right corner to give Leipzig the lead.
It was the only goal of the game, which he celebrated euphorically and rightly so by pulling out a red balloon hidden in his sock and blows it up.
He had admitted that the reason for this celebration is his two-year-old son who loves balloons.
READ MORE: Chelsea Duo Reece James And Mason Mount Ruled OUT For The Remainder Of The Season: Frank Lampard.
The goal takes Nkunku's goal tally to 18 for the season in all competitions, an impressive number considering he’s missed 13 games through injury.
Speaking after the game, the Frenchman was naturally delighted with the win, and with his first goal in 2023.
"It was really important to get the three points today. We worked really hard. I was really pleased with my goal; I'm pleased to be back out on the pitch and able to help the team," Nkunku said.
"The coach pushed us to the end. Winning the game does us good, and on a personal note, the 60 minutes that I played really helped me."
He added; "We have to focus on ourselves and we can qualify for the Champions League. That's out goal and we will achieve it. Our full focus is on the two games against Freiburg now."
RB Leipzig are still fighting for the Champions League qualification places. Marco Rose's side are fifth-placed, two points behind fourth place SC Freiburg, but are far from assured of a place in Europe's top club competition next season.
They next play Freiburg in the DFB-Pokal semi-final on Tuesday, May 2.
CloudNine Sports understands that Chelsea are expected to sign the France international this summer after a pre-contract was agreed with the player.
Nkunku was one of the most coveted players in the summer transfer window but it appears that Chelsea won the race for his signature.
The striker has reportedly completed the necessary medical tests ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge with Todd Boehly prepared to activate his £52million release clause ahead of next season.
Chelsea’s current campaign is nothing short of dismal, as they have seriously struggled in attack this season despite huge reinforcements coming in the January transfer window, with Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Joao Felix all joining the squad.
Kai Havertz struggles continues in front of goal, whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future at the West London club is yet unknown.
Nkunku is certainly someone the Blues fans can be excited about ahead of next season, as he will be an exciting addition to the club.
Chelsea have signed almost £600million worth of new players since last summer, However, results on the pitch have not reflected such expenditure with led to the sack of manager Graham Potter and re-appiontment of former player Frank Lampard as caretaker boss until the end of the season.
They currently sit 12th in the Premier League, and are also winless in their last eight matches across all competitions, scoring just three goals during that time.
Chelsea faced early exits in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and crashed out of the Champions League earlier in the month.
Things could look very different for the club and Nkunku next season though as former Southampton, Tottenham and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino looks set to be their next permanent manager.
Chelsea next return to action away against London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Tuesday night, May 2.
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