Mauricio Pochettino has outlined his initial plan for Christopher Nkunku at Chelsea. The 25-year-old forward is said to have signed a pre-contract agreement to join the Blues this summer, though some final details need to be addressed before his transfer is official.
football.london understands that the west Londoners have sent scouts to watch the RB Leipzig star over the past couple of seasons – and they've been very impressed with what they saw. Despite having missed two months of the season, Nkunku shared the Bundesliga golden boot with Niclas Fullkrug scoring 16 goals.
It's believed that Chelsea have already paid the France international's £53million release clause, which becomes active this summer. football.london also understands that Nkunku is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge and he was impressed with how the Blues managed his transfer.
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The Frenchman has enjoyed a free-role at the Red Bull Arena in recent years, operating as a centre-forward, attacking midfielder and sometimes as a winger. On one hand, Nkunku's versatility in the final third is seen as a huge bonus, but others are concerned that he's 'position-less' and needs a license to roam.
In an interview with Football Manager earlier this year, he was told that 28 per cent of FM players deploy him as an attacking midfielder. When quizzed on the statistic, Nkunku replied: "I think that's 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"
However, while he may be looking forward to playing a support role at Chelsea, Pochettino has other ideas. According to The Guardian, the Blues are 'determined' to not rush their search for an orthodox striker this summer and they believe that Nkunku can do the job.
The report states that the general consensus is that the team can all chip in with goals, though that hasn't exactly worked with Kai Havertz leading the line. Though, of course, Pochettino will likely have different ideas to that of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard.
Nevertheless, in January, RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl confirmed Nkunku will join Chelsea this summer. The west Londoners are yet to officially announce the Frenchman's arrival.
"The signs are very, very clear that he's moving to Chelsea," Eberl told BILD...
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