Sports kick
Fans mock Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku over the height of his free-kick
Chelsea’s summer signing Christopher Nkunku has been brutally mocked on social media over his free-kick attempt.
The French international joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig last month in a deal worth a reported fee of £51 million.
So far, Nkunku has been impressive in Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States.
The 25-year-old has scored twice as the Blues recorded wins against Wrexham and Brighton.
However, a recent training video showing Nkunku’s free-kick practice has got fans talking. You can watch the footage below.
Fans were quick to react to the height of Nkunku’s free-kick attempt on social media.
One said: “That wouldn’t go over a wall of even Messi and Aguero.”
Another tweeted: “I think you find most professional footballers can take a good long shot, with no wall and no defenders in front of them… doesn’t necessarily make them good at free kicks.”
A third fan added: “Yeah that’s in the wall mate.”
Someone else wrote: “That’s going straight into the wall lol.”
Whilst a fifth commented: “Wouldn’t clear a wall of Ryan Frasers.”
Another fan said: “That hits the wall every single time.”
Recently, new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino spoke about Nkunku’s best position.
He said: “Well I think Nkunku can play in different positions.
“For the circumstances in these two games we use him as a striker, but he can play like an offensive midfielder, like a No.10, like a No.8 or on the side also.”
Pochettino continued: “It’s about the dynamic and the animation of the team and of course the relationship between the team-mates. But he’s a fantastic player and he’s improving every day.”
Whilst Nkunku said after leading the line against Wrexham: “Yeah this is my position, I like to play this position, to be free to move and fit into space also. So yeah, this is my position and I’m very happy.”
Chelsea will begin their 23/24 Premier League campaign with a huge clash against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on 13 August.
After missing the season due to a knee injury, Christopher Nkunku is almost ready to make his Chelsea debut. However, Mauricio Pochettino must decide where the £52 million summer acquisition will fit into an improving team. Nkunku is expected to resume full training soon and may make his debut on Saturday against Newcastle.
His absence caused Chelsea to struggle mightily during the early part of the season, as the Frenchman scored three goals in four games during the preseason tour of the United States, around which Pochettino had built his attack.
Nkunku has returned to an improving Chelsea after eight goals in two games against Tottenham and Manchester City, but he has the ability to step up this onslaught even more.
The easiest method for Nkunku to join the club is to replace Nicolas Jackson as the centre striker.
Jackson’s hat-trick against Tottenham brought his season total of goals scored in 14 games to a respectable seven.
However, he has been uneasy in games vs weaker teams and found it difficult to be the centre of attention when the opposition lined up in a low block.
An entertaining eight-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge comes to an end with both Man City and Chelsea sharing the points after a 4-4 draw.
The game took a while to catch fire, Haaland putting City ahead in the 25th minute from the spot after being hauled down by Cucurella,
Buut Chelsea responded, levelling through Thiago Silva’s header before Sterling scored against his former team to make it 2-1 to the hosts.
Back came City, though, as an unmarked Akanji restored parity with a header in first-half added time before Haaland bundled home his second of the game to put the champions 3-2 up.
Chelsea would again answer through Jackson to make it three goals apiece, but Rodri appeared to net the winner with four minutes left, firing home via a huge deflection off Thiago Silva to put City on the verge of victory.
There would be one final twist, however, as Broja came off the bench to win a penalty after being brought down by Dias before Palmer, against the club whose academy he grew up in, stepped up to fire home from the spot and earn Chelsea a point.
The result moves Chelsea up into the top half, and they will look to continue their upturn in form away at injury-hit Newcastle United next Saturday.
City miss the chance to extend their lead at the summit to three points, and they have a huge home game with Liverpool to look forward to next weekend.
Below is the final EPL Table after Today’s Matches;
In a fascinating English Premier League game on Sunday evening, Chelsea secured a hard-fought 4-4 draw against Manchester City, thanks to a stoppage-time penalty from former City player Cole Palmer.
Chelsea’s positive start was momentarily halted when Marc Cucurella fouled Erling Haaland, who confidently converted the subsequent penalty for his 12th Premier League goal of the season. Undeterred, the Londoners struck back with Thiago Silva’s header and Raheem Sterling’s goal against his former club.
The second half continued the intense action, with Haaland scoring early on. Despite key saves from Robert Sánchez, Nicolas Jackson extended Chelsea’s lead. Rodri’s goal seemed to secure the win for Manchester City, but Rúben Dias’s late foul on Armando Broja led to a dramatic stoppage-time penalty, expertly converted by Palmer.
Chelsea’s resilience maintained their positive form under Mauricio Pochettino, having lost only one of their last eight games across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Manchester City remains unbeaten in six competitive fixtures and sits atop the Premier League table.
Check out the latest Premier League Table below:
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Chelsea’s next five fixtures compared to Man United, Tottenham and Aston Villa in top four race
Confirmed Chelsea line up vs Newcastle : Palmer, Jackson, Sterling Start as Nkunku seat on the bench
