Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku earned his first France cap in over a year during Thursday night’s Nations League victory away to Israel.
Christopher Nkunku started in France’s 4-1 win against Israel on Thursday night, which was his first appearance for them since June 2023. Overall, it was just his 11th senior cap for the French national side.
The Blues attacker took his club form into the international period by scoring France’s second goal yesterday with a smart left-footed finish inside the box.
Nkunku has started the new season with seven goals in 11 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea. However, the 26-year-old forward has only started one game in the Premier League because he’s behind Nicolas Jackson in the pecking order for the striker position.
French media react to Christopher Nkunku performance
Nkunku started and impressed as a left-winger for France in his international display. We’ve been used to seeing him play more centrally as a striker in the last couple of months, but it was a timely reminder he can play anywhere across the frontline.
Foot Mercato wrote: “Christopher Nkunku – 7/10. Preferred to [Bradley] Barcola on the left side of the French attack, the Chelsea player celebrated his return with the Blues perfectly.
“Available for his teammates, he opened his counter in selection after a nice individual number. Involved in the first pressing, he also shone with numerous shifts found in the right tempo. Always well placed, his mobility constantly undermined the Israeli defense. Repositioned in the heart of the game after Barcola’s entry, he continued to work for the collective before giving up his place.”
RMC Sport recently claimed that France manager Didier Deschamps is a huge fan of Chelsea’s Nkunku. Following the retirement of Antoine Greizmann, it feels like a gap may have opened for him to shine for his country.
Christopher Nkunku stats
FotMob data has provided the individual statistics from Nkunku’s France performance versus Israel:
- Match rating – 7.4
- Minutes played – 77
- Goals – 1
- Total shots – 2
- Shots on target – 1/2 (50%)
- Successful dribbles – 0/1 (0%)
- Touches in opposition box – 3
- Touches – 50
- Accurate passes – 38/40 (98%)
- Chances created – 1
Nkunku is keeping himself fit and scoring goals at a regular rate so far this season, so let’s hope it continues. For him, he’ll be desperate to break into Chelsea’s strongest XI after the break.
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