"RB Leipzig is just a lot of fun!"
Christo Nkunku talks to the press | Big ambitions for the season ahead | Having fun in training camp
Our training camp in Aigen is now in full swing. Over the coming days in Austria, Christo Nkunku hopes to have the best possible preparation for the season ahead. Our number 18 wants to maintain the standards he set for himself in a record-breaking 21/22 season. The reigning Bundesliga player of the season spoke to the press on Thursday to outline his ambitions.
Among other things, Christo discussed his recent contract extension, individual awards and his hopes for the new campaign.
Christo Nkunku on...
…his reasons for signing a new deal:
"For me it was a given to extend my contract here. I feel right at home in this city and at this club. I still don’t see my work here as finished. So I’m not thinking about leaving the club next year either. We did really well as a team last season but there’s still more to come. I want to continue the success with RB Leipzig.”
…the pressure of living up to expectations after last season:
"The numbers look outstanding but in the end it was a team performance. The lads helped me a lot. Without them I wouldn’t have been able to notch any goals or assists. Together we are working to make this season even better. And I’m convinced that we can achieve something even greater!”
Domenico Tedesco is forever driving us on. Training is really demanding and that's a good thing. In the end I want to just constantly better myself. I'm working hard to do so; for example I prefer to use my free afternoons to get back out on the pitch. I’m on the right track to keep improving."
…being named Bundesliga player of the season:
"I was really happy to be selected! But football is a team game. I only have my boys to thank for this award. They put me in this good position, so I’m sharing this award with them too. What was even better was that we could celebrate lifting the DFB-Pokal together as a team. Because that counts for a lot more than any individual award!"
…how winning the DFB-Pokal has affected the team:
"We are aware of how well we did in the second half of the season. We have to take that confidence into the new season. Every single player has to lead the way. I can’t say whether we’re good enough to win the league but we will be in the hunt and we will give it our best shot. We all want more and in the end we could achieve something really great.”
…the mood in camp:
"The team has hardly changed. There was no great upheaval this summer, and that’s a good thing. We’re happy to be together, as we always were. We laugh a lot. We’ve held onto that joy of winning the Pokal, and that happiness can help spur us on. You can already feel it here in camp. We’ll take that spirit with us into the new season. It’s just a lot of fun here at RB Leipzig!”