Christopher Nkunku arrives at Milan as a marquee signing. The French striker comes to the Italian club looking to rediscover his best form after a challenging spell at Chelsea.
Who is Christopher Nkunku?
Of Congolese descent but born in France on November 14, 1997, Christopher Alan Nkunku is a French striker valued at around €35 million. He is right-footed, 177 cm tall, and weighs 68 kg.
Nkunku began his youth career at AS Marolles and RCP Fontainebleau, but he truly developed at PSG’s academy, where he spent five years.
He struggled to fully break into PSG’s first team, recording 106 appearances with 9 goals and 4 assists. In July 2019, RB Leipzig signed him for €19.5 million. There, he thrived, becoming a key figure in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, with 172 appearances, 70 goals, and 45 assists.
His performances earned him a €60 million move to Chelsea in the 2023 summer transfer window. However, strong squad competition and limited minutes — averaging just 34 per Premier League match last season — restricted his impact. Even so, he still managed 14 goals and 5 assists in 42 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign.
Now, Milan has brought him in to bolster their attack, hoping he can rediscover his best form and play a decisive role in the club’s ambitions.
A Combination Striker
Nkunku stands out in both passing and defensive contribution. He is agile, versatile, and committed, aiding both midfield and attack. In offensive transitions, he seeks the best options and accelerates play in tight spaces.
He is not a striker known for frequent switches of play or long passes, but rather someone who controls the ball with precision, maintaining possession while driving the attack forward.
Compared to other Premier League center-forwards, Nkunku leads in touches, completed passes, and forward passing accuracy (91%). This demonstrates his combinational style and comfort on the ball, allowing him to direct play through quick passes and agile movement.
He also excels in shots on goal and expected assists, often operating at the edge of the box as a playmaker. One of his key strengths is striking from distance, an especially valuable asset in Serie A, where teams often maintain low defensive lines.
Mobility in Its Purest Form
Nkunku’s heatmap reflects his dynamic style: starting on the wing and driving into central areas.
While at Chelsea, he often played on the left wing; his versatility allows him to operate as a striker, right winger, or attacking midfielder. The latter position is arguably his best fit, allowing him to exploit tight spaces with agility and mobility.
At Milan, he is expected to lead the attack, dropping deep to pull defenders out of position while linking play and creating space for teammates behind him.
Transfer and Contract Figures
Nkunku joined Milan for a fixed fee of approximately €37 million plus €5 million in variables, totaling around €42 million. His contract runs until 2030 and includes a sell-on clause.
At Chelsea, he earned roughly €12 million annually. However, he is expected to reduce his salary to €10 million at Milan to maintain squad balance, making him the club’s highest-paid player.
Fit at Milan
Milan suffered a 2-1 defeat in their Serie A opener against Cremonese, highlighting the need for a striker.
In that match, Allegri deployed a 3-5-2 formation with Pulisic as striker alongside Santiago Giménez. With Nkunku’s arrival, the team may shift to a 3-4-2-1 to maximize the attacking potential of Leão, Pulisic, and Nkunku, with Nkunku playing centrally while waiting for a true center-forward to join the squad.
The Rossoneri’s Bombshell Signing
Following Okafor’s departure, Milan’s striker void and Nkunku’s need to revive his career paved the way for this deal. In a new Milan, Nkunku is expected to be a central figure and one of the team’s main stars. The key question remains: will he adapt seamlessly to Italian football, or will his game struggle to adjust? Time will tell.