Jamie Carragher has claimed that Tottenham summer target Christopher Nkunku is now ‘one of the standout players in Europe’, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (19/10/21 at 7:55 pm)
The RB Leipzig winger has been on fire this season, especially in the Champions League, where he has scored four goals in three matches.
It could have different for the 23-year-old, if the rumours from the summer came true, because a number of clubs were keen.
Both North London clubs, Tottenham and Arsenal expressed interest in the £35 million player, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.
Intead, Nkunku stayed put in Germany, and it was a wise call because he has taken his game to another level.
Carragher thinks ‘a lot of teams’ know about Nkunku now, following those early performances in Europe, as he is ‘level with Lewandowski’ in the scoring charts.
“One of the standout players in Europe, Christopher Nkunku,” said Carragher. “He has got four goals in the Champions League already.
“He is a player that a lot of teams in Europe know about, but certainly on the back of this performance, everyone will be sitting up and taking notice.
“He’s a player that was at PSG as a young player. He played around 50 games for them. He then got his move to Leipzig.
“He is one the top-scorers in the Champions League. I think he is level with Lewandowski. He is certainly one to look out for. He can certainly cause problems.”
It will be interesting to see if either Spurs or Arsenal push for the former PSG man again because his stock is rising.
Both clubs, who have shown indifferent form this season, could do with a player of his ilk and depth in attacking talent outwide.
He has the ability to shift positions, move the ball forward with speed, have the silky footwork to put the opposition on their backside and also be that attacking threat from deep.
But if he continues to shine on the Champions League stage, like scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City, then those in higher positions in Europe will come knocking for his talents.
Until then, he can only continue to light up the Bundesliga and the European stage.
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