GdS: ‘Nkunku’s revenge’ – winter rumours cast aside by improving performances

Christopher Nkunku probably spent most of the winter window reading rumours about his AC Milan exit, but he responded on the field.

As La Gazzetta Dello Sport (seen below) report speak of the errors that Nkunku made against Bologna firstly. There was the couple of missed chances which, by his own admission, could have netted him a hat-trick, and the fact that he produced a red balloon from his sack rather than yellow to match the kit.

With a penalty won and scored, he can be forgiven. After all, it hasn’t been the easiest month for the Frenchman. Nkunku hadn’t even had time to celebrate his brace against Verona to end 2025 when the transfer rumours began.

The initial stories ranged from ‘Milan want to sell him’ to ‘Fenerbahçe have put him at the top of their list’ to the more recent conclusion of ‘Nkunku must make room for Mateta’s arrival’. In the end, however, Christopher stayed, and he has never wanted anything other than Milan.

After the (significant) initial difficulties, the former RB Leipzig man has definitely picked up steam recently. Sure, he may not yet be at the golden levels of his years in Germany, but he’s already surpassed (in the league at least) the numbers he achieved during his two seasons at Chelsea.

On the up

In 2026, no one has scored more goals than Nkunku for Milan (three, equal with Adrien Rabiot). The goals – two from the penalty spot – are, however, just the symbol of a positive moment. Chris is finally finding consistency, also due to some other injuries in attack.

In Bologna, we saw some of his almost forgotten moves: the splendid long ball at the start to Loftus-Cheek (who was stopped by Ravaglia), the dribble past the goalkeeper that (smartly) led to the penalty which he then coolly converted, and the nutmeg on Zortea which has gone viral.

Nkunku is more prolific and more involved, but also more courageous and more confident. It is almost as if something has clicked mentally. His brace against Verona and the crucial late goal against Fiorentina were good signs, but further proof has arrived.

Now Nkunku knows he’ll stay at Milan at least until next season and that, to earn a spot in the France squad for the World Cup, he’ll have to prove he’s a top player for the Rossoneri, worthy of the €37m plus bonuses paid in the summer.

His team-mates are also helping him. Nkunku missed a chance just before Rabiot set up Loftus-Cheek for the opener in Bologna. Instead of hugging the Englishman who scored, Rabiot rushed to his compatriot to cheer him up after his mistake in front of goal. A sign of a united and supportive group.