GdS: ‘Nkunku’s revenge’ – winter rumours cast aside by improving performances

Christopher Nkunku in all probability spent many of the winter window studying rumours about his AC Milan exit, however he responded on the sector.

As La Gazzetta Dello Sport (seen beneath) report converse of the errors that Nkunku made in opposition to Bologna firstly. There was the couple of missed probabilities which, by his personal admission, might have netted him a hat-trick, and the truth that he produced a purple balloon from his sack moderately than yellow to match the equipment.

With a penalty gained and scored, he might be forgiven. In any case, it hasn’t been the simplest month for the Frenchman. Nkunku hadn’t even had time to rejoice his brace in opposition to Verona to finish 2025 when the switch rumours started.

The preliminary tales ranged from ‘Milan need to promote him’ to ‘Fenerbahçe have put him on the high of their listing’ to the newer conclusion of ‘Nkunku should make room for Mateta’s arrival’. Ultimately, nonetheless, Christopher stayed, and he has by no means needed something aside from Milan.

After the (vital) preliminary difficulties, the previous RB Leipzig man has undoubtedly picked up steam just lately. Certain, he could not but be on the golden ranges of his years in Germany, however he’s already surpassed (within the league no less than) the numbers he achieved throughout his two seasons at Chelsea.

On the up

In 2026, nobody has scored extra objectives than Nkunku for Milan (three, equal with Adrien Rabiot). The objectives – two from the penalty spot – are, nonetheless, simply the image of a optimistic second. Chris is lastly discovering consistency, additionally on account of another accidents in assault.

In Bologna, we noticed a few of his nearly forgotten strikes: the luxurious lengthy ball at first to Loftus-Cheek (who was stopped by Ravaglia), the dribble previous the goalkeeper that (neatly) led to the penalty which he then coolly transformed, and the nutmeg on Zortea which has gone viral.

Nkunku is extra prolific and extra concerned, but additionally extra brave and extra assured. It’s nearly as if one thing has clicked mentally. His brace in opposition to Verona and the essential late objective in opposition to Fiorentina have been good indicators, however additional proof has arrived.

Now Nkunku is aware of he’ll keep at Milan no less than till subsequent season and that, to earn a spot within the France squad for the World Cup, he’ll must show he’s a high participant for the Rossoneri, worthy of the €37m plus bonuses paid in the summertime.

His team-mates are additionally serving to him. Nkunku missed an opportunity simply earlier than Rabiot arrange Loftus-Cheek for the opener in Bologna. As an alternative of hugging the Englishman who scored, Rabiot rushed to his compatriot to cheer him up after his mistake in entrance of objective. An indication of a united and supportive group.