As Fantasy Premier League managers strategise for the 2024/25 season, Christopher Nkunku emerges as an intriguing option. The Chelsea midfielder could be the budget-friendly gem that allows managers to balance their squads effectively. Let's explore why Nkunku might be a key player in your FPL team this season.
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Despite a challenging debut season at Chelsea, Nkunku's per 90 minutes statistics hint at his potential. In the 2023/24 season, he averaged an impressive 0.62 goals per 90 minutes. While his FPL assists were limited, his expected goals (xG) of 0.52 per 90 suggests he consistently found himself in dangerous positions.
It's important to note that Nkunku's limited playing time last season (447 minutes), shown in the Opta Player Heatmaps feature, was primarily due to injury. This explains his relatively low total FPL points of just 29. However, these numbers offer a tantalising glimpse of what he could achieve with a full, injury-free season under his belt.
Before joining Chelsea, Nkunku was a sensation at RB Leipzig. His performances in the Bundesliga and Champions League had top clubs across Europe vying for his signature. This track record suggests that, once fully settled and fit, Nkunku could replicate or even surpass his Bundesliga form in the Premier League.
One of Nkunku's most attractive features for FPL managers is his price. At just £6.5 million, he represents excellent value for money. This budget-friendly price point allows managers to invest heavily in premium assets like Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah while still having a potentially high-scoring midfielder in their squad.
With a current selection percentage of 15.2%, it's clear that a significant number of FPL managers are already recognising Nkunku's potential. However, this moderate ownership suggests he could be a valuable differential pick, especially if he hits the ground running at the start of the season.
Nkunku currently features in Walter Randazzo's latest Elite XI: Team Reveal draft. The seven-time top 10k finishing FPL manager has managed to afford both Salah and Haaland by opting for the budget-friendly Chelsea midfielder.
Chelsea have a challenging start to the season, as indicated by the Fixture Planner tool. They begin with a tough home game against Manchester City and have three away fixtures in their first five games. This means the Blues are ranked fifth from bottom for attacking difficulty for the first five gameweeks.
There have been many questions about Nkunku and his role in Chelsea's setup for the 2024/25 season. Maresca, the new Chelsea manager, recently addressed this topic, mentioning how versatile the Frenchman is.
"He can play everywhere," Maresca said about Nkunku. "He's one of the players who, in these two weeks, is doing very, very well. He is adapting to the way we want to play. We will try to have players who can play in different positions in attack."
The Predicted Lineup tool currently projects a 64% chance of the midfielder starting against Man City. However, this will be updated throughout pre-season as more information becomes available.
Christopher Nkunku presents an exciting option for FPL managers heading into the 2024/25 season. His impressive per 90 stats from last season, combined with his pre-Chelsea pedigree and budget-friendly price, make him a tempting prospect. While there are certainly risks involved – primarily related to his injury history and adaptation to the Premier League – Nkunku could be the differential that sets your FPL team apart.
As the season approaches, keep a close eye on Chelsea's pre-season performances and any news regarding Nkunku's positioning. If he shows signs of recapturing his RB Leipzig form, he could quickly become one of the most sought-after FPL assets.
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