Three years after leaving RB Leipzig for Chelsea, Christopher Nkunku is back in the Bundesliga hoping to rediscover the freedom, confidence and enjoyment that once made him one of Europe's most exciting attacking players.
The 28-year-old France forward returns to Germany looking to revive a career that has stalled since his departure from Leipzig.
Beyond re-establishing himself as a dangerous and versatile attacker, Nkunku says his priority is simple: enjoying football again.
"I think at the moment I need to enjoy football again," Nkunku said.
"To just think about football and playing games. Also to take pleasure on the pitch and do what I want to do."
Nkunku joined Leipzig from boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 and quickly became a key figure, helping the German side reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2020.
He scored in both finals as Leipzig won consecutive German Cups in 2022 and 2023, which remain the club's only major trophies.
His individual performances were equally impressive. In 2022, Nkunku was named Germany's PFA footballer of the year and Bundesliga player of the season, while also earning a place on the Ballon d'Or shortlist.
His form earned him a place with France, but a knee injury shortly before the 2022 World Cup ended his hopes of competing in Qatar.
Nkunku's performances eventually secured him a big-money move to Chelsea in 2023, but his time in England was disrupted by injuries and instability.
"It was about timing, just about timing," Nkunku said.
A knee injury requiring the first surgery of his career delayed his Chelsea debut by five months. Nkunku later admitted he pushed himself to return too quickly.
"I wanted to come back fast and I did not listen to my body," he said. "After that, I had a lot of small injuries, like muscle or ankle injuries."
Chelsea appointed Enzo Maresca ahead of Nkunku's second season, but despite a positive pre-season, the Frenchman struggled to secure a regular role.
"I had a good pre-season. But I think the coach at that moment had a different idea. And you need to accept that," Nkunku said.
"He preferred to play other players or put me in another position. I said maybe I can play another position, but he's the boss, so he decided."
Nkunku's two-year spell at Chelsea eventually ended with a move to AC Milan.
The switch was intended to provide a fresh start, but he again struggled to consistently impose himself within a more structured system, scoring eight goals and providing three assists in 35 appearances.
Nkunku highlighted the tactical differences he encountered in Italian football.
"In Italy, the teams play not to concede goals," he said. "It's more defensive. If the team scores a first one, they don't think about scoring a second... You need to stay behind, protect your goal."
When the opportunity emerged to return to Leipzig on a season-long loan with an option to buy, Nkunku said he "did not hesitate".
His comeback began positively, with the forward receiving a warm reception before setting up a goal shortly after coming off the bench in his first appearance.
Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schaefer believes Nkunku can provide qualities currently missing from the squad but is keeping expectations measured.
"His quality, his character, that's what we're missing at the moment," Schaefer said.
"I don't expect he needs to be player of the season again – I wish he will be – but it's not my expectation."
Nkunku describes himself as a "reserved guy", but the experienced forward is ready to embrace a leadership role within Leipzig's young squad.
"Now it's a moment for me to share because the young generation need to understand playing at a high level and I need to help," he said.
His ambitions also extend beyond club football.
Nkunku wants to earn his way back into the France squad and believes working under Zinedine Zidane could help him take another step forward.
"Zidane was an offensive player. When he will tell you something, you will listen," Nkunku said.
"Because he knows what he will tell you. He didn't learn it, he lived it."
