Page 25 - Soccer360 - Issue 103
P. 25
‘Cristiano Ronaldo was a player
that I really admired - not just that he was a great goal scorer
but that he worked so hard and
gave everything to his teams.’
WHO WAS YOUR IDOL GROWING UP?
There were so many players I admired as I was coming through the academies in France. Cristiano Ronaldo was a player that I really admired - not just that he was a great goal scorer but that he worked so hard and gave everything to his teams. Also I am a Frenchman - so of course Zinedine Zidane is a big idol of mine.
YOU MISSED OUT ON THE WORLD CUP IN QATAR DUE TO INJURY - HOW MUCH MORE DETERMINED HAS THAT MADE YOU FOR EURO 2024?
It was a huge disappointment to miss out on The World Cup - to not be able to help your team mates on the field. Representing your country at a World Cup is one of the biggest honours a player can have in their career. However, this is no benefit in looking back only forwards. We will have one
of the best squads at the competition and the ambition will be to win it.
ALONG WITH FRANCE WHO DO YOU THINK ARE FAVOURITES FOR EURO 2024?
There will be the usual favourites like France, England, Germany, and Spain - but over recent years big tournaments have taught us that there will always be one or two surprises. I am sure that will be the same next summer - it is why you need to treat every opponent with respect.
SOCCER360 MAGAZINE 25
THINGS TO know
The 25 Year old Footballer was born on 14 November 1997 in Lagny-sur-Marne, Seine-et- Marne, France. Zodiac sign is Scorpio.
Christopher enrolled in Paris Saint-Germain’s junior system in 2010 at the age of 12. He played for the youth team that finished second in the 2015-16 UEFA Youth League. On 8 December 2015, at 18, he made his first professional appearance against Shakhtar Donetsk in a UEFA Champions League match.
ALMOST JOINED ARSENAL - When Christopher Nkunku decided to leave
Paris, Arsenal made a swift move to
secure his signature. Back in 2019, under the management of Unai Emery, Arsenal showed keen interest in Nkunku, who Emery had previously worked with at PSG. PSG
set an asking price of £17 million during negotiations, but Arsenal deemed it too steep. Instead, the Gunners opted to sign Denis Suarez on loan, a move that didn’t quite pan out as expected. Meanwhile, Nkunku slipped through their fingers. To make matters worse, Arsenal then splashed out £72 million on Nicolas Pepe in the same transfer window, who is now valued at just £16 million, while Nkunku recently made a move to Arsenal’s London rivals for £52 million.
NKUNKU AND POGBA - Not only France, but both Nkunku and Pogba share a unique hometown connection. Interestingly, they were both born in the same suburb of
Paris called Lagny-Sur-Marne. Situated approximately 26km east of the city center, this suburban area holds significance in their early lives. Pogba has openly spoken about his humble upbringing in Paris, describing
it as growing up in the “hood.” He fondly remembers the times when multiple family members would sleep together in one bed, highlighting the strong bond they shared during those moments.
HAT-TRICK VS MAN CITY - on the first matchday of the 2021/22 champions league he surprised his now premier league rivals man city with a hat trick. Despite being on the losing side, the 23-year-old netted all three of Leipzig’s goals as the RB Leipzig outfit sought to keep the game close. That day he introduced himself to a lot of soccer fans all around the world with that stunning performance.
PLAYER VERSATILITY- Nkunku will be a great asset to Chelsea’s attack and midfield, he is an extremely versatile player who has played in 8 different midfield/attacking positions throughout his career so far. Chelsea’s new manager Maricio Pochetino has also admitted “he has played striker so far with us, but he can play like an offensive midfielder, like a No.10, like a No.8 “ With more and more top managers wanting versatile players who can play different roles Nkunku is no exception and should be great addition to this Chelsea squad.