# Chris Nkunku's Wing Defense for Leipzig Sturggles to Find the Right Playmakers

Chris Nkunku’s role as a wing-back for RB Leipzig has been a double-edged sword. While his defensive contributions have been instrumental in maintaining a solid backline, his offensive playmaking abilities have often been overshadowed by his defensive duties. This has left Leipzig struggling to find the right playmakers to complement Nkunku’s defensive prowess.

Nkunku’s primary responsibility in Leipzig’s 4-2-3-1 system is to provide width on the right flank and contribute to the attack. However, his defensive work rate and ability to track back has limited his ability to create chances in the final third. This has led to criticism from fans and analysts, who argue that the team is missing the creativity and vision needed to break down compact defenses.

In contrast to Nkunku’s defensive focus, players like Alphonso Davies at Bayern Munich or Achraf Hakimi at Real Madrid often have the freedom to roam forward and play as auxiliary playmakers. Nkunku’s defensive responsibilities prevent him from replicating that role, leaving Leipzig dependent on other players to create and dictate play.

To compensate for Nkunku’s defensive workload, Leipzig has often relied on other attackers like Dominik Szoboszlai or Dani Olmo to take on playmaking responsibilities. However, neither player has consistently delivered in critical moments,Bundesliga Tracking leading to frustration among fans. The lack of a consistent playmaker has also made it harder for Leipzig to adapt to different opposition formations and strategies.

One potential solution could be to introduce a double pivot or a false nine in the midfield to share the playmaking burden. This would allow Nkunku to focus more on his defensive duties while still providing attacking width. However, implementing such a system would require a significant shift in the team’s style of play and may take time for the players to adapt.

In the meantime, Leipzig’s management will need to carefully balance Nkunku’s defensive contributions with the need for offensive creativity. The success of the team will likely depend on how well they can integrate a playmaker into the lineup without compromising the defensive stability that Nkunku provides.

As the season progresses, Leipzig’s ability to navigate this challenge will be a key factor in their quest for silverware. If they can find the right balance, Nkunku’s defensive reliability will still shine, but the absence of a dynamic playmaker could limit their attacking potential.

It remains to be seen whether Leipzig can adapt their system to overcome this issue and unlock Nkunku’s full potential as a playmaker. For now, the search for the right playmakers continues, and the team’s success will depend on their ability to fill this critical gap in their lineup.

• for
• Wing
• Defense
• Nkunku
• Chris