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Chelsea Confirm Signing Of Christopher Nkunku From RB Leipzig

Published

11 months ago

June 20, 2023

Editor

Chelsea sealed their swoop for France forward Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig in a deal worth a reported £63 million ($80 million) on Tuesday.

Nkunku had already agreed a pre-contract with the Premier League club in December and has now rubber-stamped his move to Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old has put pen to paper on a lucrative six-year contract with the Blues, who are embarking on a close-season overhaul as they look to bounce back from a dismal campaign.

“Chelsea is delighted to announce Christopher Nkunku will join the club from RB Leipzig ahead of the 2023/24 season,” a statement on the Blues’ website said.

Nkunku is one of the rising stars of European football and scored 23 goals in 36 games for Leipzig last season.

He is the first major signing since Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed as Chelsea’s new manager at the end of May.

“I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea. A big effort was made to bring me to the club,” Nkunku said.

“I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and team-mates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch.”

Nkunku, a graduate of the famed French national football academy at Clairefontaine, spent four years at Paris Saint Germain before moving to Leipzig in 2019.

He made his name with the German club and was voted Bundesliga player of the season in 2021-22 after scoring 20 goals and providing 15 assists in the league.

The versatile forward bagged a further 23 goals this season to help Leipzig secure a third-place finish in the Bundesliga.

Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, said: “Christopher has proved himself one of the standout attacking players in European football over the past two seasons and will add quality, creativity and versatility to our squad.”

Nkunku earned his France debut last year and has been capped 10 times.

He was ruled out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a leg injury.

“Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world,” Nkunku said.

“I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt.”

Related Topics:Chelsea Christopher Nkunku RB Leipzig

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EPL: Haaland Finishes Top Goal Scorer [See list]

Published

19 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Erling Haaland has finished as the English Premier League (EPL) top goal scorer for a second consecutive season as Manchester City beat West Ham 3-1 to win a fourth consecutive title.

The Norwegian striker was absent for two months of the season through injury and struggled to match the heights of his debut campaign at City when he struck 52 times in all competitions, including a Premier League record 36.

The 23-year-old failed to add to his 27 Premier League goals on the final day but still proved decisive in the run-in to help City secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive English top-flight crown.

Haaland scored nine times in his final seven Premier League appearances of the season to help City edge Arsenal to the title by two points.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who himself started the season at City, was second in the top scorer standings with 22 goals, one ahead of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

EPL Top Goal Scorer Chart
27: Haaland (Man City)

22: Palmer (Chelsea)

21: Isak (Newcastle)

19: Foden (Man City), Solanke (Bournemouth), Watkins (Aston Villa)

18: Salah (Liverpool)

17: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

READ ALSO: Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles
16: Bowen (West Ham), Mateta (Crystal Palace), Saka (Arsenal)

14: Jackson (Chelsea), Wood (Nottm Forest)

13: Havertz (Arsenal)

12: Cunha (Wolves), Hwang (Wolves), Trossard (Arsenal), Wissa (Brentford)

11: Alvarez (Man City), Eze (Crystal Palace), Gordon (Newcastle), Morris (Luton), Nunez (Liverpool), Richarlison (Tottenham)

10: Adebayo (Luton), Bailey (Aston Villa), Fernandes (Man Utd), Hojlund (Man Utd), Jota (Liverpool), Olise (Crystal Palace)

Sports

PHOTOS: Man City Fans, Players Celebrate Record Fourth EPL Title In Style

Published

19 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Man City on Sunday made history after clinching their fourth consecutive English Premier League (EPL) crown.

At the blast of the final whistle, the Etihad was occupied with fans and players in jubilant mood as the lush green pitch turned white and blue.

Sports

Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles

Published

19 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

Pep Guardiola has said he has intention to leave Man City after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title, and sixth in seven years, on Sunday.

Phil Foden scored twice as City beat West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad to edge out Arsenal by two points and deny the Gunners a first league title in 20 years.

“When I moved here if someone had said I would win six leagues in seven seasons I would say you’re insane – no way,” said Guardiola.

“All these players for Manchester United and Liverpool and Chelsea, all these teams. Now is our period. We are part of that,” added the 53-year-old.

Guardiola has now won 15 major trophies in eight seasons as Man City manager and could add another in the FA Cup final next weekend.

The Catalan has a contract at the Etihad until 2025 and said he intends to see out at least one more year in Man City.

“The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying after eight years. We have talked with the club — my feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk.”