AC Milan's forward, Christopher Nkunku, spoke exclusively to those at 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' about his experience so far in Rossonero and in Serie A.
Nkunku, can the two goals you scored against Verona be considered the turning point of your season?
"Honestly, they made me very happy, but my main goal was and still is to get into top condition."
How much did missing preseason affect your performances?
"A lot. It’s like a journalist doing an interview without preparing the questions… It was hard for me because I had never missed a preseason before, and next summer I’ll do everything possible to make sure it doesn’t happen again. If you don’t have preseason, you don’t get those 4–5 friendlies that help you find your rhythm.”
How much did you suffer during your goal drought in Serie A?
"I tried to stay calm because I know my quality and I knew the goals would come. It was just a matter of time and fitness. If you play as a forward, you have to score, it’s your job. I think I helped the team in other ways, but when you get an assist or a goal, it’s more visible. Still, the most important thing is winning and doing what Allegri asks."
In December Allegri said: 'Nkunku needs to stay calm and smile more.' Now you smile and score.
"When the coach says something, you have to take it in because he has a lot of experience. At that time, more than smiling, I was focused and in my own world trying to be ready. But yes, when you smile and see things positively, everything changes."
Do you feel at 100%, or can you still improve?
"I feel better than at the start because after the brace against Verona, and a couple of matches missed due to an ankle issue, I was able to start several games in a row, and that helped me."
In three of the last four seasons you scored more than 10 goals, and at Leipzig you once reached 35. What’s your target this year? Nkunku commented:
"Let’s not talk about numbers. My goal is always to make the most of the chances I get to score. If I have 10–12 chances, my focus is to score 10–12 goals. To do that, I have to keep adapting to the league, which is different from the others I’ve played in."
What’s the main difference between Serie A, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and the Premier League?
"Here teams are tactically very well prepared, they don’t take many risks, and they don’t give you space."
In the past you’ve played as a winger, an attacking midfielder, and a striker, the role you’re often used in now. How do you feel there?
"I focus on what the coach asks of me, and I think I can perform well in this role too."
In January you were heavily linked with moves away, but you strongly wanted to stay at Milan. Why?
"I never thought about leaving, that’s the point. My agent never spoke to me about offers, so to me they were just rumors. And he knows me well, I never asked him to look elsewhere or talk to other clubs because I only wanted to be ready to perform here at Milan."
Did the rumors bother you?
"In my job, if you start listening to everything, you can’t focus on what matters. One day they say you’re going here, the next day there… but you’re just one person, you can’t be everywhere. I know where I want to be, and if people talk, so be it."
At Milanello, do you, Maignan, Fofana, and Rabiot ever talk about the World Cup?
"Not much, because right now we’re all focused on winning here at Milan. The World Cup is three or four months away, and if we perform at our best at club level, we’ll have a better chance of being called up."
In 2022 you got injured before leaving for Qatar.
"That was sad. For any footballer, playing in a World Cup is a dream. Now I have to work to make it happen. France is extremely strong, we could make three teams, and they’d all be competitive to win, because our youth systems work very well."
In Bologna, after Loftus-Cheek’s goal, Rabiot came to encourage you after a missed chance instead of celebrating.
"He didn’t do it because we’re French. Here at Milan everyone helps each other. We’re a united group."
Allegri says this is the best Rabiot of his career. Do you agree?
"I’ve always known him like this, maybe now he’s just more decisive. Also because Allegri wants him to be more attacking, whereas before he played deeper. Adrien has an incredible shot and runs so much. I think he could play 90 minutes every day because he never gets tired. He’s in the peak years of his career, between 29 and 31. He has no limits, he keeps pushing, on the pitch and off it. He’s a beast."
There’s a video on social media of you nutmegging Zortea with a backheel against Bologna. It looked like Ronaldinho…
"No, it was Christopher (laughs). Don’t compare me to Ronaldinho: he’s an icon. That was me, just me."
From winning the world title with Chelsea last summer to joining Milan in a season without European competitions: what convinced you to come here?
"Simple: if Milan calls you, which for me is the biggest club in Italy, 90% of the decision is already made. Plus, I understood that the club wants to win trophies, and that’s my goal too. I’ve had the chance to lift trophies everywhere I’ve been, and I want to do it here as well, at a club that was born to win."
Your goal celebration, when you pretend to inflate a balloon, is unique and fun.
"It’s for my son. I wanted to do something new and that idea came to me. I think he likes it a lot, so I keep doing it. I didn’t do it at Como? That was the equalizer, 1–1, and there was no time to waste because we needed to win."
At PSG you had Ibrahimović as a teammate. What’s the difference between Zlatan as a player and as an executive?
"Now I see him in a suit; before, in football boots. Otherwise, not much changes. He still has the same character and the same desire to win. I remember once in training I made a mistake and my team, which included Ibra, lost the small-sided game. He didn’t say anything right away, but on match day, in the locker room, he called me over: 'We lost. Never again'."
Maignan is great at saving penalties, and you’re good at taking them. Who wins in training?
"I’d say 50–50. Mike has helped us earn points. He’s a great leader and when he speaks in the locker room, everyone listens. He always talks for the good of the team, like a real captain. We couldn’t tell him ‘stay, stay,’ but now that he’s renewed his contract we’re calmer. It’s good for the club that he remains."
You’ve played with many champions in your career, but had you ever met someone like Modrić?
"Luka is incredible. He has unique quality and makes amazing outside-of-the-foot passes. If I try it, my hip shifts… It’s unbelievable that he’s 40, but he could play until 45 or 46."
What will you be doing at 40?
"If my body allows it, I’ll still be playing. I love football."
Between you and Leão, who is faster?
"Over long distances maybe Rafa; over shorter ones, maybe me."
Inter are top of the league with an eight-point lead. Are you still thinking about the title?
"Our goal is to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League. For now, though, we’re taking it game by game, and at the end we’ll see how far we can go. We also have the derby coming up, a special match."
A very… 'Allegri-style' answer...
“But that’s the objective.” (smiles).
Is there a team that has impressed you more than the others so far?
"Como play well with the ball and move it around intelligently."
Do you like Milano? Nkunku replied:
"The city is beautiful. I live near San Siro and I’m comfortable there. And Milanello reminds me a bit of Clairefontaine, where I spent two years as a youngster in the academy."
At Leipzig you often scored from free kicks. Here at Milan you take very few. Why?
"There haven’t been many opportunities, and when you arrive at a new club there are already teammates who take them, so you have to adapt. We’ll see what happens next time we get the chance."
