Christopher Nkunku has opened up on the struggles that defined his short spell at Chelsea after completing a £36million transfer to AC Milan.
The French forward, 27, was presented by the Rossoneri on Friday and reflected on his two difficult years in London before insisting he is ready for a fresh start in Serie A.
Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52m but never managed to establish himself as a consistent performer at Stamford Bridge.
‘I got injured straight away and was out for five months, and upon my return I had a relapse,’ he said at Casa Milan.
‘In my second year, I worked hard and did everything I could to be ready, and the coach made his choices. I’m the same player I’ve always been, I want to play with a smile, and I know it will be different here in Milan.’
The forward explained why moving to Italy felt like the right choice. ‘When AC Milan called me, I didn’t have to think about it too much; I immediately knew it was the perfect option for me.
Christopher Nkunku, 27, is hoping to enjoy a fresh start with AC Milan after leaving Chelsea
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Nkunku, pictured (right) during a Conference League game last season, cost AC Milan £36m
‘I feel good. I was already working on an individual level, but I’ve started training with the team these days. I can’t wait to get started with all my teammates.’
Nkunku is set to link up with fellow France internationals Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot, and he stressed that building connections within the squad will be his first priority.
He added: ‘The first step is to get to know my team-mates, build bonds with them and with the coach, and at the end of the year we’ll see where we’ve got to.’
Determined to prove his worth after a stop-start Premier League adventure, Nkunku underlined his competitive streak.
‘I’m competitive, I know what I want and I always try to be the best version of myself,’ he said.
‘I can give a lot to this team, I like to move as an attacking midfielder but it all depends on the formation and how it’s interpreted. The coach will decide, I can’t wait to play.’
Milan, who finished eighth in Serie A last season, began the new campaign with a home loss to Cremonese before bouncing back with a victory away at Lecce.
Nkunku will hope to make his debut after the international break when Milan host Bologna on September 14.