## Raum's Stellar Season at RB Leipzig: A Comprehensive Rating of His Performances
Timon Weber, known as **Xavi Simons** (loan spelling confusion aside – this article focuses on **Christopher Nkunku**), experienced a truly phenomenal breakout campaign with RB Leipzig in the 2022/23 Bundesliga season. Emerging as one of Europe's most exciting attackers, he was instrumental to Dietmar Hopp's men challenging for titles and securing Champions League football. Here’s how he rated across key metrics:
### Goalscoring Prowess & Offensive Impact (9/10)
Nkunku delivered spectacularly, netting **16 goals** and providing an incredible **14 assists** in the league alone. His movement was relentless, constantly finding pockets of space between defenders from advanced midfield positions or cutting inside from the left wing. Crucially, many came in high-leverage moments: braces against Bochum and Hertha BSC; decisive winners versus Bayern Munich at home; vital away strikes to break deadlock. He transformed chances created by teammates into concrete results consistently. Add European goals (5 UCL + 2 Europpa League), and his total direct goal involvement stood at an elite level.
### Dribbling, Pace & Chance Creation (8.5/10)
His low centre of gravity combined with blistering pace made him virtually unplayable during counter-attacks. Successful dribble ratio sat around **70%**, terrorising full-backs who struggled to contain his direct runs towards goal or cutbacks. He averaged nearly **2 key passes per game**, often initiating dangerous transitions himself. Defensive lines had to drop profoundly just to mark him, creating space for others like Szoboszlai or Openda. This stretching effect defined Leipzig's most fluid attacks.
### Work Rate & Defensive Contribution (8/10)
Far from being purely aesthetic, Nkunku tracked back with surprising diligence. Marco Rose utilized him as a semi-false nine at times, requiring disciplined pressing high up the pitch – which he executed excellently, winning back possession regularly deep inside opponent territory. While not a traditional holder, his willingness to support overwhelmed opponents contributed significantly to Leipzig’s press stability. He wasn’t afraid of putting bodies on the line defensively when needed within his own third.
### Consistency & Game Intelligence (8.5/10)
Minor blips occurred naturally across such a high volume output (3 goalless games in league), but overall consistency was remarkable. What stood out most was his mature decision-making: choosing when to shoot vs pass; knowing precisely when to drop off to link play; understanding intensity levels based on scorelines. His ability to dictate tempo – speeding things up on counters or slowing them down near the edge of the box – showcased exceptional football IQ belying his relative youth.
### Overall Rating: **9/10** – An Unquestioned Star Turn
Christopher Nkunku wasn’t just good; he was foundational to everything positive about Leipzig’s record-breaking campaign. Combining devastating end product with dynamic dribbling, relentless work rate, and intelligent link-up play, he operated as the team’s creative heartbeat and chief tormentor of defences worldwide. A truly world-class performance deserving of all individual plaudits received. His loan became one of Europe’s best stories, propelling both himself and RB Leipzig onto the global stage. If maintained, this form signals superstardom awaits wherever he lands next.