Like so many of the best players of this French generation, Christopher Nkunku’s footballing journey began in Paris and its environs. He was born in Lagny-sur-Marne, in the eastern outskirts of the city. When he was four, he and his family moved south of the capital, to the more rural Seine-et-Marne region.

Christopher had grown up watching his brother, six years older than him, playing football. He quickly caught the bug, taking to the streets with his friends, his cousins and a ball.

At five years old, Christopher joined his first club, the modest AS Marolles, local to his home.

‘Whenever I had time to play football, I did,’ he smiles. ‘Maybe at school, in training, or in my free time.

‘When you are a child and you do something, it’s just because you love it. It has definitely helped me get to where I am. When I started to play, I loved it, loved it, loved it, more and more and more. As time passes, you realise you do not want to stop playing football.

‘Everything was about confidence. When you see someone do something, you are inspired to do the same. It helps you do more things, better things.’

Christopher was aided by an encouraging and wholesome family environment that shaped his personality.

‘Where you grew up and the way you grew up is how you will be when you are older,’ he says.

‘I’m a family guy. I grew up with them and with a good relationship with them. This is what I am. My parents were present every day for me, for my brother and my sister too. They took care of us. They shared their values to us, so we are grateful.’

Christopher’s talent was obvious. Before long, scouts were circling at AS Marolles. He had trials at Monaco, Le Havre, Lens and Toulouse. They came to nothing. Instead, at 12, he joined Fontainebleau, a more established local club where the great Lilian Thuram also spent time as a youngster.

It was there that Christopher caught the eye of Paris Saint-Germain. They did not hesitate to sign him, ignoring the lack of height that had probably put off the other Ligue 1 clubs where he had trialled.

‘When I was young, I was every time the smallest in the team,’ he explains.

‘I had a late growth. Every year I had the challenge to be with the team at a good level with this difficulty. This step made me strong. It made me smart, also. It was the most difficult thing I had, but it was natural. You can’t control it.’

Christopher moved to Clairefontaine, the French Football Federation’s hub, where he spent the first two years of his youth career at PSG, benefitting from the wonderful facilities that had played such a pivotal role in Les Bleus’ 1998 World Cup triumph.

It served as a boarding house, with Christopher continuing his education there and then training after school.

‘You are only 13 years old and you move out of home. It was really hard. Since then, I have not lived in my family house.

‘When PSG took me, I realised I had a chance to play football professionally. Before this I was just playing because I loved football.

‘It was hard, but you remember you are here for football because you have a dream. It takes a lot of sacrifice to achieve that.’

Those sacrifices are the forefront of his mind as he reflects on his journey, which latterly took him to RB Leipzig and then on to Chelsea in 2023. Christopher recognises the effort he has put in, and the hurdles he has jumped over to get him to the top of the game.

‘It was what I saw I had to do,’ he concludes.

‘I had a lot of friends who went on the same path, but they didn’t make it. Now they have stopped football and they have a normal life, and they are sad because they wanted to be a professional footballer.

‘So, I’m grateful. It’s the reason why I did it. I am happy to be where I am today.’

Now you and your loved ones can step onto the pitch like Nkunku with the Bring Your Boots Tour!

The ultimate gift for any Blues fan, The Bring Your Boots Tour allows you to lace up your boots on the iconic turf, take a penalty in front of the Matthew Harding Stand, and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes Stadium Tour. Secure your place today by clicking here.