Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, Christopher Nkunku, Brighton And Hove Albion
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, Christopher Nkunku, Brighton And Hove Albion
Christopher Nkunku hit the first balloon celebration of his Chelsea career on Wednesday after he scored in their Premier League clash against Brighton.
The 26-year-old forward, who joined Chelsea from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig last summer for a reported £53 million, netted his third league goal of the season at the Amex.
After some great wing play from Malo Gusto, who has been one of the club's best performers in recent months, Nkunku fired past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen with a neat first time finish.
Then, as he was being congratulated by his teammates around the corner flag, the France international proceeded to celebrate the goal by inflating a blue balloon that he pulled out from his sock.
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You can see that moment below:
Upon seeing the unusual celebration after making it 2-0, many fans asked why Nkunku decided to hold a balloon in his mouth while his arms were outstretched wide.
Well, after he first celebrated with a balloon in his mouth after scoring in a 4-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk, the former PSG man explained why.
“The ballon was for my son,” revealed Nkunku. “He likes balloons.”
Nkunku joined the ranks at Stamford Bridge having scored an impressive 16 goals in 25 games throughout the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign.
Those behind the scenes at Chelsea were convinced by his talents.
The club’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said on his arrival: “Christopher has proved himself one of the standout attacking players in European football over the past two seasons and will add quality, creativity and versatility to our squad.
“He has demonstrated his ability at the highest level with RB Leipzig and France and we look forward to him joining up with his new teammates ahead of the new season.”
The 25-year-old said he was "incredibly happy" to join the Blues. “A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch," he said.
“Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt.”
Nkunku has made just 12 appearances in all competitions this season after suffering a hamstring injury in February, but fans will be encouraged by his performance on Wednesday night.