Ralf Rangnick believes Chelsea target Christopher Nkunku made a decision on his future “far too early”, with the Blues now set to finish far outside the Champions League positions.
RB Leipzig star Nkunku has netted 17 goals across all competitions this term and is expected to move to west London in July, having been rumoured to have signed a pre-contract agreement in December.
There were concerns that the Frenchman may have had a rethink, due to the Blues looking almost certain to fail to achieve any sort of European football for next season. However this does not appear to be the case, and he is expected to move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
But former Manchester United manager Rangnick has provided a damning assessment on the move. Indeed, is is a mixture of transfer strategy under Todd Boehly and a disappointing season that has left Rangnick - a former RB Leipzig chief - confused.
“I’m also thinking of a player whose arrival at RB Leipzig I was a little bit involved in: Christopher Nkunku,” said Rangnick when asked about Chelsea by ZDF, via Bild.
“For me, one of the best attacking midfielders currently available and who, in my opinion, decided to move to Chelsea far too early. Can you imagine that such an outstanding player comes to a club that is in the state Chelsea are in at the moment? Personally, this hurts my heart. If I were his advisor or his father, I would be very worried right now.”
As the star man in an RB Leipzig side that are currently on course for Champions League in the Bundesliga, Nkunku grabbed attention from Boehly, who is understood to be willing to pay £10million more than his £53m release clause to sign the forward early.
Nkunku burst onto international radars as one of Europe’s hottest strikers last campaign, netting 20 time and assisting 15 in the Bundesliga alone in 2021/22. And, at only 25, the Frenchman may be poised to lead the line at Chelsea for years to come.
Joao Felix is currently the key player at the centre of the Chelsea attack, but he will be returning to his parent club, Atletico Madrid, in a matter of months. Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has not started a game since a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City on January 5.
Chelsea could have benefited from Nkunku last week when they whimpered to a Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid, while their league form has not been much better. Without a win in all competitions since early March, Chelsea find themselves in an embarrassing 11th place - 10 points off a Conference League spot.
There will be at least one familiar face for Nkunku. Christopher Vivell, who was technical director for a spell during the Frenchman’s time in Leipzig, and has been appointed to the same role in Stamford Bridge. Fellow French international N’Golo Kante will also be on hand to welcome him, provided he sorts out his own contract situation.
Nkunku may also reunite with former RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann, who was ruthlessly sacked by Bayern Munich earlier this year. The German is among the front runners to take over from Frank Lampard, who is currently managing the club on an interim basis.
Nagelsmann was once the protege of Rangnick, who had warnings ready for the 35-year-old. “At the moment, no matter who comes as a coach, you can’t really recommend anyone to go there. The very first thing to do is establish some sort of strategy and reduce the squad to a reasonable size that any coach can work with.”
