Christopher Nkunku
{{short description|French footballer (born 1997)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Christopher Nkunku
| image = Christopher Nkunku 2021.jpg
| caption = Nkunku playing for RB Leipzig in 2021
| full_name = Christopher Alan Nkunku
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|11|14|df=y}}
| birth_place = Lagny-sur-Marne, France
| position = Forward, attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Chelsea
| clubnumber = 18
| youthyears1 = 2003–2009
| youthclubs1 = AS Marolles
| youthyears2 = 2009–2010
| youthclubs2 = Fontainebleau
| youthyears3 = 2010–2015
| youthclubs3 = Paris Saint-Germain
| years1 = 2015–2016
| clubs1 = Paris Saint-Germain B
| caps1 = 27
| goals1 = 5
| years2 = 2015–2019
| clubs2 = Paris Saint-Germain
| caps2 = 55
| goals2 = 8
| years3 = 2019–2023
| clubs3 = RB Leipzig
| caps3 = 119
| goals3 = 47
| years4 = 2023–
| clubs4 = Chelsea
| caps4 = 38
| goals4 = 6
| nationalyears1 = 2012
| nationalteam1 = France U16
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2016
| nationalteam2 = France U19
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2016–2017
| nationalteam3 = France U20
| nationalcaps3 = 12
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2018
| nationalteam4 = France U21
| nationalcaps4 = 6
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2022–
| nationalteam5 = France
| nationalcaps5 = 14
| nationalgoals5 = 1
| club-update = 16:00, 13 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 22:19, 17 November 2024 (UTC)
}}
Christopher Alan Nkunku (born 14 November 1997) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward, second striker or attacking midfielder{{cite news |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/nkunku-psg-fringe-player-flourishing-at-rb-leipzig-under-julian-nagelsmann-8372 |title=Christopher Nkunku: Former PSG fringe player flourishing under Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig |website=Bundesliga.com |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218085950/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/nkunku-psg-fringe-player-flourishing-at-rb-leipzig-under-julian-nagelsmann-8372 |url-status=live }} for {{English football updater|Chelsea}} club Chelsea and the France national team.
Nkunku is a graduate of the Paris Saint-Germain Academy and made his professional debut for the club in December 2015. He made 78 appearances for them and won three Ligue 1 titles, the Coupe de France twice and the Coupe de la Ligue twice. Nkunku joined German side RB Leipzig in July 2019, with whom he scored 70 goals in 172 appearances over four seasons and won the DFB-Pokal twice. He was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season in the 2021–22 campaign and was the league's top scorer the following season. Nkunku was signed by Chelsea in 2023 for £52 million.
Nkunku represented France at multiple youth international levels, before making his debut for the senior national team in March 2022.
Early life
Christopher Alan Nkunku{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2017/pdf/FWYC_2017_SquadLists.pdf |title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017: List of Players: France |publisher=FIFA |page=5 |date=11 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219142701/https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2017/pdf/FWYC_2017_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2019}} was born on 14 November 1997 in Lagny-sur-Marne, Seine-et-Marne.{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur57102.html |title=Christopher Nkunku |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=27 June 2022 |language=fr |archive-date=7 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207014133/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur57102.html |url-status=live }} He went to El Francis Assis Secondary school and he began playing football with AS Marolles as a six-year-old.{{cite news |last1=Folgoas |first1=Ronan |title=PSG. Christopher Nkunku: Je ne suis pas un surdoué |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/psg/psg-christopher-nkunku-je-ne-suis-pas-un-surdoue-27-03-2017-6798543.php |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=Le Parisien |date=27 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222194016/https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/psg/psg-christopher-nkunku-je-ne-suis-pas-un-surdoue-27-03-2017-6798543.php |archive-date=22 December 2021 |language=fr-FR}} In 2009, he joined Fontainebleau, where he was spotted by scouts of several professional clubs. Despite his young age and childlike physique, he was noted for "his speed, his technique and his vision of the game", as recalled by Norbert Boj in 2020, former head of the Fontainebleau football school.{{cite news |last1=Butel |first1=Simon |last2=Baron |first2=Jérémie |title=Nkunku, un Titi sur la route du PSG |url=https://www.sofoot.com/nkunku-un-titi-sur-la-route-du-psg-487368.html |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=SOFOOT |date=18 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222195352/https://www.sofoot.com/nkunku-un-titi-sur-la-route-du-psg-487368.html |archive-date=22 December 2021 |language=fr}} He would line up in all positions across the midfield, a versatility he, according to another coach at the club, owed to his "technical prowess, obviously, but especially his intelligence of play".
Due to being considered too young and light, Nkunku was not signed by Lens, Le Havre and Monaco; clubs where he had been on trials. He eventually signed with Paris Saint-Germain, where he was able to progress through the youth sides of INF Clairefontaine at U15-level.{{cite news |last1=Raynal |first1=Thierry |title=PSG : ce jeune qui a tapé dans l'œil de Laurent Blanc |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/archives/-05-09-2015-5063445.php |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=Le Parisien |date=4 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222194021/https://www.leparisien.fr/archives/-05-09-2015-5063445.php |archive-date=22 December 2021 |language=fr-FR}} Spending the weekdays at Clairefontaine and playing only on weekends with Paris Saint-Germain, he made the permanent move to the French powerhouse at the age of fifteen.
Club career
=Paris Saint-Germain=
Nkunku joined the Paris Saint-Germain youth system in 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/paris-saint-germain/160/blog/post/3041897/christopher-nkunku-reminiscent-of-blaise-matuidi-as-his-star-rises-at-paris-saint-germain |title=Christopher Nkunku reminiscent of Blaise Matuidi as his star rises at PSG |website=ESPN.co.uk |date=19 January 2017 |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124190423/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/paris-saint-germain/160/blog/post/3041897/christopher-nkunku-reminiscent-of-blaise-matuidi-as-his-star-rises-at-paris-saint-germain |url-status=live }} He was a member of the youth team who were runners-up in the 2015–16 UEFA Youth League.{{cite web |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2016/04/18/uefa-youth-league-report--chelsea-v-paris-saint-germain |title=UEFA Youth League report: Chelsea 2 Paris Saint-Germain 1 |publisher=Chelsea FC |date=18 April 2016 |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629131849/https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2016/04/18/uefa-youth-league-report--chelsea-v-paris-saint-germain |url-status=live }} He made his professional debut at the age of 18 on 8 December 2015, in a UEFA Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, replacing Lucas Moura after 87 minutes in a 2–0 home win.{{cite web |url=https://madeinfoot.ouest-france.fr/infos/article-psg-christopher-nkunku-fete-ses-debuts-professionnels-en-c1-135380.html |title=PSG - Christopher Nkunku fête ses débuts professionnels en C1 |trans-title=PSG – Christopher Nkunku celebrates his professional debut in C1 |website=madeinfoot.ouest-france.fr |date=8 December 2015 |access-date=14 April 2022 |language=fr |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116135744/https://madeinfoot.ouest-france.fr/infos/article-psg-christopher-nkunku-fete-ses-debuts-professionnels-en-c1-135380.html |url-status=live }} He scored his first professional goal in a 7–0 home win against Bastia in the Coupe de France on 7 January 2017.{{Cite web |date=2017-01-07 |title=Draxler grabs debut goal as PSG win 7-0 |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37464820/julian-draxler-grabs-debut-goal-psg-stick-seven-bastia-coupe-de-france |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} On 10 March 2018, he scored his first brace as a professional, in a 5–0 win against Metz.{{Cite web |date=10 March 2018 |title=Nkunku 8/10 as PSG thrash Metz |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/club/paris-saint-germain/160/blog/post/3414516/psg-thrash-metz-as-christopher-nkunku-seizes-his-chance-to-start |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404175302/https://www.espn.com/soccer/club/paris-saint-germain/160/blog/post/3414516/psg-thrash-metz-as-christopher-nkunku-seizes-his-chance-to-start |url-status=live }}
=RB Leipzig=
On 18 July 2019, RB Leipzig announced Nkunku's signing on a five-year deal for an approximate €13 million transfer fee plus bonuses.{{cite web |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transferts-christopher-nkunku-psg-au-rb-leipzig-officiel/1041168 |title=Transferts : Christopher Nkunku (PSG) au RB Leipzig (officiel) |trans-title=Transfers: Christopher Nkunku (PSG) to RB Leipzig (official) |website=lequipe.fr |date=18 July 2019 |accessdate=14 April 2022 |language=fr |archive-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414000614/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transferts-christopher-nkunku-psg-au-rb-leipzig-officiel/1041168 |url-status=live }} He made his debut for the club on 11 August in a DFB-Pokal match against VfL Osnabrück, which ended in a 3–2 victory.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-11 |title=Julian Nagelsmann celebrates winning debut as RB Leipzig beat Osnabrück in DFB Cup. |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/osnabruck-rb-leipzig-live-line-ups-stats-dfb-cup-upamecano-timo-werner-nagelsmann-6055 |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website |language=en}} His Bundesliga debut followed a week later, scoring his first competitive goal on the first matchday of the 2019–20 season in a 4–0 win over regional rivals Union Berlin.{{cite news |title=Union Berlin lose on Bundesliga debut |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49389932 |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206095227/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49389932 |archive-date=6 December 2021}}
On 22 February 2020, Nkunku provided four assists in a 5–0 victory over Schalke 04. In doing so, he became just the second player in recent Bundesliga history to register four assists in a single match, after Szabolcs Huszti in 2012.{{cite news |title=Christopher Nkunku: MD23's Man of the Matchday and RB Leipzig's quadruple-assist hero |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/christopher-nkunku-impresses-with-four-assists-for-rb-leipzig-5-0-schalke-10105 |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320163718/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/christopher-nkunku-impresses-with-four-assists-for-rb-leipzig-5-0-schalke-10105 |archive-date=20 March 2022}}
On 15 September 2021, Nkunku scored a hat-trick for Leipzig in their 6–3 defeat to Manchester City in a 2021–22 UEFA Champions League group stage match.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58562369|title=Manchester City 6 RB Leipzig 3|publisher=BBC|date=15 September 2021|access-date=16 September 2021|archive-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916083422/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58562369|url-status=live}} He was the first player in the club's history to score a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League.{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/champions-league/2021/09/16/614355df46163f6e088b4616.html |title=Nkunku announces himself with hat-trick against Manchester City |website=marca.com |date=16 September 2021 |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414000615/https://www.marca.com/en/football/champions-league/2021/09/16/614355df46163f6e088b4616.html |url-status=live }} In May 2022, he won the 2021–22 Bundesliga Player of the Season award after scoring 20 times and assisting 13 goals in 34 league games.{{cite web |title=RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku named 2021/22 Bundesliga Player of the Season |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/christopher-nkunku-named-2021-22-player-of-the-season-rb-leipzig-19976 |website=bundesliga.com |date=May 2022 |access-date=27 May 2022 |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516142339/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/christopher-nkunku-named-2021-22-player-of-the-season-rb-leipzig-19976 |url-status=live }} In the 2022–23 season, he scored 16 goals in the league to finish as joint top scorer along with Niclas Füllkrug.
=Chelsea=
On 20 June 2023, Nkunku signed for Premier League club Chelsea on a six-year deal starting on 1 July 2023.{{cite news |title=Nkunku to join Chelsea |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/nkunku-to-join-chelsea |date=20 June 2023 |access-date=20 June 2023 |publisher=Chelsea F.C.}}{{cite news |title=Chelsea confirm Christopher Nkunku signing |url=https://soccerbrief.co.uk/chelsea-confirm-christopher-nkunku-signing/ |date=20 June 2023 |access-date=20 June 2023 |website=Soccer Brief |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620172914/https://soccerbrief.co.uk/chelsea-confirm-christopher-nkunku-signing/ |url-status=dead }} The transfer fee was reported to be £52 million.{{cite news |title=Chelsea sign France striker Nkunku for £52m |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64013875 |date=20 June 2023 |access-date=21 June 2023}} On 8 August, it was announced that he had undergone surgery for a knee injury sustained during a pre-season match and would be out for an extended period, thereby missing the start of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66440762|title=Christopher Nkunku injury: Chelsea striker out for 'extended period' after undergoing knee surgery|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 August 2023|access-date=8 August 2023}} He finally made his debut on 19 December 2023 against Newcastle United in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup, scoring a penalty in the 4–2 shoot-out win after the match finished 1–1.{{cite news |title=Chelsea beat Newcastle on penalties to reach last four |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67688633 |date=19 December 2023 |access-date=19 December 2023}} Five days later, he made his Premier League debut away at Wolverhampton Wanderers, coming off the bench during the second half and scoring a late goal in a 2–1 defeat for Chelsea.{{cite news |date=24 December 2023 |title=Match report: Wolves 2-1 Chelsea |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/match-report-wolves-2-1-chelsea |access-date=24 December 2023 |publisher=Chelsea F.C.}} On 31 January 2024, he scored again against Liverpool in a 4–1 loss at Anfield. On 24 September, Nkunku scored a hat-trick against EFL League Two side Barrow A.F.C. in the third round of the EFL Cup, helping the Blues to a 5–0 victory.{{Cite news |date=2024-09-24 |title=Chelsea 5-0 Barrow: Christopher Nkunku nets hat-trick as Blues ease into fourth round of Carabao Cup |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/league-cup/2024-2025/chelsea-5-0-barrow-christopher-nkunku-nets-hat-trick-as-blues-make-fourth-round-of-league-cup_sto10350208/story.shtml |access-date=2024-09-24 |work=Eurosport}}
Style of play
Nkunku is known for his duel with any defender in a 1v1 situation, and his incredible dribbling skills and burst of pace enable opportunities for him to separate from his mark with space to look for a pass or shot. He is a right-footed attacker who can play centrally or out wide.{{Cite web |last=andthecouch |date=2023-11-22 |title=The Christopher Nkunku Conundrum |url=https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2023/11/22/23964698/the-christopher-nkunku-conundrum |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=We Ain't Got No History |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Christopher Nkunku: Bundesliga Player Watch |url=https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/christopher-nkunku-rb-leipzig/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=The Coaches' Voice |language=en-GB}}
International career
Nkunku was born in France and is of Congolese descent.{{cite web|url=http://www.madeinfoot.com/infos/article-selection-ces-jeunes-pousses-du-psg-qui-ont-snobe-la-rd-congo-111018.html|title=Sélection - Ces jeunes pousses du PSG qui ont snobé la RD Congo|language=fr|website=madeinfoot.com|publisher=Made In Foot|date=26 March 2015|accessdate=16 March 2020|archive-date=28 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328022847/http://www.madeinfoot.com/infos/article-selection-ces-jeunes-pousses-du-psg-qui-ont-snobe-la-rd-congo-111018.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://actualitesdesleopards-rdc.footeo.com/actualite/2015/11/09/christo-nkunku-jouer-pour-la-r-d-congo-pourquoi-pas.html|title=Christo Nkunku: " Jouer pour la R.D. Congo? Pourquoi pas "|language=fr|website=actualitesdesleopards.com|publisher=Actualites des leopards|date=9 November 2015|accessdate=16 March 2020|archive-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030123351/http://actualitesdesleopards-rdc.footeo.com/actualite/2015/11/09/christo-nkunku-jouer-pour-la-r-d-congo-pourquoi-pas.html|url-status=live}} He was a French youth international, representing the country at under-16, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels.{{cite web |url=https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8831-nkunku-christopher/fiche.html |title=Christopher Nkunku |website=fff.fr |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417210001/https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8831-nkunku-christopher/fiche.html |url-status=live }} He made three appearances for the under-20 team at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Nkunku was called up to the senior France squad for the first time for friendly matches against Ivory Coast and South Africa on 25 and 29 March 2022, respectively.{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/rb-leipzig-star-christopher-nkunku-earns-first-france-call-up-19259 |title=RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku earns first France call-up |website=bundesliga.com |date=17 March 2022 |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413084815/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/rb-leipzig-star-christopher-nkunku-earns-first-france-call-up-19259 |url-status=live }} He made his debut as a starter in the game against Ivory Coast.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/international-friendlies/2022/france-v-ivory-coast-follow-live_sto8855308/story.shtml |title=France 2–1 Ivory Coast: Aurelien Tchouameni grabs late winner for Didier Deschamps' side in Marseille |website=eurosport.com |date=25 March 2022 |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404150225/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live }} On 9 November 2022, he was named in the 25-man French squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.{{Cite web|title=France World Cup squad: William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate picked by Didier Deschamps in 25-man squad|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12742737/france-world-cup-squad-william-saliba-and-ibrahima-konate-picked-by-didier-deschamps-in-25-man-squad|website=Sky Sports|date=9 November 2022|access-date=15 November 2022|archive-date=10 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110221646/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12742737/france-world-cup-squad-william-saliba-and-ibrahima-konate-picked-by-didier-deschamps-in-25-man-squad|url-status=live}} On 15 November, he sustained a knee injury after colliding with Eduardo Camavinga during training at Clairefontaine, which forced him to drop out prior to the competition.{{cite web |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Christopher-nkunku-forfait-pour-la-coupe-du-monde/1365083 |title=Touché au genou gauche, Christopher Nkunku est forfait pour la Coupe du monde |website=L'Équipe |language=fr |date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115224912/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Christopher-nkunku-forfait-pour-la-coupe-du-monde/1365083 |url-status=live }}
On 10 October 2024, he scored his first goal for the national team in a 4–1 away win against Israel.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20241010-france-israel-nations-league-mbappe |title=France beat Israel in Nations League match despite Mbappe absence |publisher=France 24 |date=11 October 2024 }}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 17 April 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/christopher-nkunku/376909/|title=C. Nkunku|website=Soccerway|access-date=24 December 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de France, DFB-Pokal, FA Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de la Ligue, EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3"|Paris Saint-Germain B
|rowspan="2"|CFA |18 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 2 | |||||
| 2016–17
|9 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 3 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!27 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 5 | |||||
| rowspan="5"|Paris Saint-Germain
|rowspan="4"|Ligue 1 |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=UCL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2016–17
|8 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | |
| 2017–18
|20 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=TDC|Appearance in Trophée des Champions}} | 0 | 27 | 5 | |
| 2018–19
|22 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=TDC}} | 1 | 29 | 4 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!55 | 8 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 78 | 11 | |
| rowspan="5"|RB Leipzig
|rowspan="4"|Bundesliga |32 | 5 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 44 | 5 | |||
| 2020–21
|28 | 6 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 40 | 7 | |||
| 2021–22
|34 | 20 | 6 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | 12{{efn|Six appearances and seven goals in UEFA Champions League, six appearances and four goals in UEFA Europa League}} | 11 | colspan="2"|— | 52 | 35 | |||
| 2022–23
|25 | 16 | 3 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|name=UCL}} | 3 | 1{{efn|Appearance in DFL-Supercup}} | 1 | 36 | 23 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!119 | 47 | 17 | 7 | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 172 | 70 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Chelsea
|rowspan="2"|Premier League |11 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 3 | |||
| 2024–25
|27 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 11{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Conference League}} | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 14 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!38 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 17 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!239 | 66 | 32 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 48 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 333 | 103 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 17 November 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=31854 |title=Christopher Nkunku |website=EU-Football.info |access-date=5 July 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan="3"|France
|2022 | 8 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | |1 |
| colspan="2"|Total||14||1 |
|---|
{{updated|match played 17 November 2024}}
:Scores and results list France's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nkunku goal
| class="wikitable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Christopher Nkunku !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Cap !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition !scope = "col"| Ref. | ||||||||
| align="center"|1 | 10 October 2024 | Bozsik Aréna, Budapest, Hungary | align="center"|11 | {{fb|ISR}} | align="center"|2–1 | align="center"|4–1 | 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A | align="center"|{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/10/europe/uefa-nations-league/israel/france/4319369/|title=Israel vs. France 1–4: Summary|website=Soccerway}} |
Honours
Paris Saint-Germain
- Ligue 1: 2015–16, 2017–18,{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-my/news/psg-clinch-ligue-1-title-by-thrashing-monaco/1ty70ovdroka415jkim9oc0zsj|title=PSG wrap up Ligue 1 title with Monaco win | Goal.com|website=www.goal.com|access-date=10 December 2020|archive-date=25 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425054339/https://www.goal.com/en-my/news/psg-clinch-ligue-1-title-by-thrashing-monaco/1ty70ovdroka415jkim9oc0zsj|url-status=live}} 2018–19{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/psg-champions-as-lille-held-at-toulouse.htm|title=PSG Champions as Lille held at Toulouse|date=21 April 2019|access-date=21 April 2019|website=www.ligue1.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626220236/https://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/psg-champions-as-lille-held-at-toulouse.htm|archive-date=26 June 2019|url-status=dead}}
- Coupe de France: 2016–17, 2017–18{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
- Coupe de la Ligue: 2016–17, 2017–18{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
- Trophée des Champions: 2017, 2018{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=511012|title=PSG thrash Monaco to win French Super Cup as Neymar plays 15 minutes|publisher=ESPN|access-date=4 August 2018|archive-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804200918/http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=511012|url-status=live}}
RB Leipzig
- DFB-Pokal: 2021–22,{{Cite web |date=21 May 2022 |title=RB Leipzig win first DFB Cup following shootout win against Freiburg |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/freiburg-rb-leipzig-dfb-cup-final-live-team-news-stats-nkunku-schlotterbeck-19977 |access-date=15 November 2022 |publisher=Bundesliga |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115153101/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/freiburg-rb-leipzig-dfb-cup-final-live-team-news-stats-nkunku-schlotterbeck-19977 |url-status=live }} 2022–23,{{cite news |date=3 June 2023 |title=Christopher Nkunku-inspired RB Leipzig beat Eintracht Frankfurt to win DFB Cup |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/rb-leipzig-eintracht-frankfurt-dfb-cup-final-live-team-news-match-stats-kolo-muani-23656 |access-date=3 June 2023 |website=Bundesliga}} runner up: 2020–21
Chelsea
- EFL Cup runner-up: 2023–24{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68329936 |title=Carabao Cup final: Chelsea 0–1 Liverpool (aet) |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2024 |access-date=26 February 2024}}
Individual
- Footballer of the Year in Germany: 2022{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/fussballer-fussballerin-und-trainer-des-jahres-kicker-awards-an-nkunku-schueller-und-streich-911161/artikel#omrss | title = Fußballer, Fußballerin und Trainer des Jahres: kicker-Awards an Nkunku, Schüller und Streich | language = de | website = Kicker | date = 31 July 2022 | access-date = 31 July 2022 | archive-date = 31 July 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220731124408/https://www.kicker.de/fussballer-fussballerin-und-trainer-des-jahres-kicker-awards-an-nkunku-schueller-und-streich-911161/artikel#omrss | url-status = live }}
- Bundesliga top goalscorer: 2022–23 (shared){{cite news|title=Christopher Nkunku and Niclas Füllkrug share 2022/23 Bundesliga top goalscorer trophy|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/top-scorer-race-fullkrug-gnabry-kolo-muani-grifo-nkunku-thuram-23589|date=27 May 2023|access-date=27 May 2023|publisher=Bundesliga}}
- Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2021–22{{cite news|title=RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku named 2021/22 Bundesliga Player of the Season|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/christopher-nkunku-named-2021-22-player-of-the-season-rb-leipzig-19976|access-date=16 May 2022|publisher=Bundesliga|archive-date=16 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516142339/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/christopher-nkunku-named-2021-22-player-of-the-season-rb-leipzig-19976|url-status=live}}
- Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2021–22{{cite news|title=The EA Sports Bundesliga Team of the Season 2021/22 is here!|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/ea-sports-team-of-the-season-2021-22-overview-19624|date=13 May 2022|access-date=13 May 2022|publisher=Bundesliga|archive-date=4 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104100645/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/ea-sports-team-of-the-season-2021-22-overview-19624|url-status=live}}
- VDV Bundesliga Player of the Season: 2021–22{{cite web|url=https://www.spielergewerkschaft.de/de/VDV/Aktuelles/Detail/1487/Christopher%20Nkunku%20zum%20VDV-Spieler%20der%20Saison%20gew%C3.htm|title=Christopher Nkunku zum VDV-Spieler der Saison gewählt|publisher=VDV|language=de|date=25 May 2022|access-date=25 May 2022|archive-date=4 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204201638/https://www.spielergewerkschaft.de/de/VDV/Aktuelles/Detail/1487/Christopher%20Nkunku%20zum%20VDV-Spieler%20der%20Saison%20gew%C3.htm|url-status=live}}
- VDV Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2021–22
- kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2021–22,{{cite web |date=26 May 2022 |title=Sechs Klubs vertreten: Die kicker-Elf der Saison 2021/22 |url=https://www.kicker.de/sechs-klubs-vertreten-die-kicker-elf-der-saison-2021-22-902859/artikel |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=Kicker |language=de}} 2022–23{{cite web |date=8 June 2023 |title=Bayern, BVB, Freiburg und RB doppelt vertreten: Die kicker-Elf der Saison |url=https://www.kicker.de/bayern-bvb-freiburg-und-rb-doppelt-vertreten-die-kicker-elf-der-saison-954763/artikel |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=Kicker |language=de}}
- Bundesliga Player of the Month: October 2021, February 2022, March 2022, April 2022{{cite news|title=Bundesliga Player of the Month|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/player-of-the-month-vote-fifa-22-ea-sports-21-22-season-17213|url-status=live|access-date=18 November 2021|publisher=Bundesliga|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917185124/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/player-of-the-month-vote-fifa-22-ea-sports-21-22-season-17213 |archive-date=17 September 2021 }}
- UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2021–22{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0275-15302e8596b2-af02e3bfb7db-1000--2021-22-uefa-europa-league-team-of-the-season/|title=2021/22 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season|website=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=20 May 2022|access-date=20 May 2022|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520114705/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0275-15302e8596b2-af02e3bfb7db-1000--2021-22-uefa-europa-league-team-of-the-season/|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.chelseafc.com/en/teams/profile/christopher-nkunku Profile] at the Chelsea F.C. website
- {{FFF player}}
- {{UEFA player}}
- {{Premier League player|16784}}
{{Chelsea F.C. squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list =
{{2021–22 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{2022–23 kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season}}
{{German Player Association}}
{{German Footballer of the Year}}
{{Bundesliga Player of the Season}}
{{Bundesliga top scorers}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|France|Association football|Sports}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nkunku, Christopher}}
Category:Sportspeople from Lagny-sur-Marne
Category:Footballers from Seine-et-Marne
Category:French men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:RCP Fontainebleau players
Category:Paris Saint-Germain FC players
Category:Championnat National 2 players
Category:Premier League players
Category:France men's international footballers
Category:France men's youth international footballers
Category:France men's under-21 international footballers
Category:French expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Germany
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Black French sportspeople
Category:French sportspeople of Democratic Republic of the Congo descent