Chelsea star STANDS BY transfer decision
Tom Hancock
- Updated: 28 Jul 2023 21:42 BST
- 3 min read
Christopher Nkunku says he has no regrets about joining Chelsea this summer, despite the Blues’ lack of European football next season.
Chelsea slumped to 12th in the Premier League last term, their lowest finish for 29 years – but that didn’t deter Nkunku from making his move from RB Leipzig.
The two-time European champions completed a £52m (€60m) deal for the 25-year-old France forward last month – and he’s delighted to be a part of Mauricio Pochettino’s project at Stamford Bridge.
MORE: Romano knows the TRUTH about Caicedo to Chelsea
“The season of Chelsea last year wasn’t good; everybody knows that,” Nkunku told The Times. “This year is a new project; new year; new season. I am [part of] the new project and I am happy to be here.
“Even if Chelsea was 15th or 16th place, it doesn’t matter for me because I knew that the new season would not be the same as last season. The club is not in…European competition, but I want to have a main role in the team. Chelsea proposed this project to me and I am happy with it.”
Nkunku was on the scoresheet in his first pre-season friendly appearance for the Blues, a 5-0 win over Wrexham in North Carolina, USA last week.
MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers | All the Done Deals
The winner takes it all
The former PSG youngster also explained how coming through the ranks at an elite club helped hone a winning mentality that has stayed with him ever since – on and off the pitch.
“In every category, you need to win and be first in the table,” he said. “This is what we learnt at PSG – how to win…Even drawing is like a loss. We want three points every time. That is the attitude we have.
“For me, it was natural. I don’t like to lose; I get angry and upset. I don’t like to lose in any game. Even if we are playing cards, I want to win…”
