With that injury to James Maddison in the Lilywhites pre-season fixture against Newcastle United the other day, it leaves a massive shadow over all this optimism that the supporters have been singing along about Thomas Frank.
But now it is up to the club to get someone through the doors at Hotspur Way who is capable of making a big impact and impression. That is exactly where the North Londoners ’may have got lucky, as there could be an opportunity for them to sign French talisman Christopher Nkunku.
The PSG academy graduate has reportedly been on Chelsea’s exit ramp, and if signed, he has the capacity to make a massive impact for the Lilywhites given his high potential.
The Maddison injury is something Frank cannot afford to underestimate
The Lilywhites have been quite reliant when it comes to James Maddison in those creative roles since he moved to Hotspur Way from Leicester City, but given that he has suffered yet another injury after the latest knee setback that forced him off on his back in that Newcastle friendly, which could see the English international end up missing out on a large chunk of games at the start of the new season. And a reality of this is that Tottenham must plan for this with urgency.
While the North Londoners do have Lucas Bergvall in that creative role, he is still very raw in a sense, and you cannot rely on a teenager when you want to compete in four competitions. Then there is Dejan Kulusevski, who can take up that creative role, but he is also scheduled to miss out on the start of the season as he kicks the ball for the first time since March.
So now the Lilywhites need to bring in someone who has that blend of invention and final-third incision, and this is where you want a creative yet potent player who can play in those pockets. So if Tottenham are to avoid having a slow start to their new campaign under new head coach Thomas Frank, Levy needs to bring in someone who is a creative force and has that capacity of unlocking tight defences. Enter Nkunku.
Why does Nkunku fit into Thomas Frank’s system at N17?
Under Frank, Tottenham are expected to become a side that is quite structured and plays as a counter-pressing unit, and as we have seen in the opening pre-season games, there is this huge emphasis on playing in vertical transitions whilst having that fluid attacking interplay when they enter the final third. And Nkunku, given that he has that intelligent movement complemented by his explosive acceleration and then his goal-scoring instincts, can end up filling this void like a glove.
If we go back to his time at RB Leipzig, Nkunku was nothing short of electric, given how he scored 35 goals in his final 18 months in Germany, and he did so whilst operating in different offensive roles (as a No. 10, second striker, or inside forward). But then since he has moved to Chelsea, we have seen how injuries have limited the Frenchman’s impact in West London, but then his talent (for me) is still unquestionable.
When fit, Nkunku is someone who is devastating when it comes to operating in the half-spaces whilst also having that capacity to drift wide to create overloads. We have also seen him surging through the middle to finish off chances (which could come in handy given how Porro could have a lot of crossing/passing opportunities given the width he is holding).
Given that Nkunku has that ability to play multiple attacking roles, it gives Thomas Frank that much-needed tactical flexibility, and it doesn’t matter whether you look at the 27-year-old as a direct replacement for Maddison or as a dual threat besides someone like Kulusevski or Richarlison; he will end up giving you that creative edge which Tottenham desperately needs right now.
Chelsea’s willingness presents a rare opportunity
Given that the noise around Nkunku’s future is growing louder with time, the West Londoners are said to be open to letting the former PSG forward leave as Todd Boehly looks to trim the bloated squad that he has created at Stamford Bridge, and Tottenham should be all over this.
You don’t get opportunities to sign top-quality players from direct rivals, but this is one of those moments where hesitation from Levy can end up proving costly.
It is a transfer which does make a lot of sense given where everyone involved in the transaction is, with Chelsea looking to recoup part of their heavy investment while at Tottenham Hotspur stadium, Nkunku gets a platform to rejuvenate his career. And for Tottenham, Frank gets a dynamic and proven playmaker in a position where he now finds the roster suddenly short after that Maddison injury.
Author Opinion
While there will surely be questions around his fitness, Tottenham can get through it if he is managed properly. And we have seen Daniel Levy already committing a lot of money to the high-ceiling transfers this summer with Mohammed Kudus and Palhinha complemented by the pursuit of Rodrygo and the continued investment that the club are making in youth. And Nkunku will be in line with that, given that he is a proven talent who arrives at his peak age and would be hungry to prove himself in England.
And given that the North Londoners have a roster without Maddison for a while but with top-four ambitions clear, Levy cannot afford to wait for perfect scenarios; he needs to drive solutions, and Christopher Nkunku (even with the risks) has the capacity to be exactly that.
