RB Leipzig 2026/27 season preview: Will Christopher Nkunku return to his best under Martín Demichelis?
RB Leipzig have had to deal with a host of changes on and off the pitch in the last 20 months, but with Martín Demichelis taking charge, the return of Christopher Nkunku and a solid foundation to build on, the Red Bulls will be hoping for success again this campaign.
RB Leipzig
2025/26 finish: 3rd
Pre-season results: 2-1 win vs. Altglienicke, 1-0 win vs. Ingolstadt, 4-0 win vs. Verl, 2-0 loss vs. Leeds, 3-1 loss vs. Bayern Munich
First three fixtures: Borussia Mönchengladbach (H), Werder Bremen (A), Hamburg (H)
What to expect?
Xavi Simons and Yan Diomande are among several star names who have left Leipzig in the past 20 months. However, the Red Bulls remain in a strong position ahead of the new season, with UEFA Champions League football to look forward to once again and the prospect of challenging across the board domestically.
The squad remains full of exciting young talent, including Antonio Nusa, Assan Ouédraogo and Castello Lukeba, with a few older heads to provide a strong base for success.
Watch: Bayern Munich 3-1 RB Leipzig - pre-season highlights
Key new signing: Christopher Nkunku
One of the squad’s more experienced names is Nkunku, who returned to the club on loan from AC Milan, having left for Chelsea back in 2023. During his final campaign with Leipzig, Nkunku finished joint-top scorer in the league with 16 strikes to his name, and he scored 70 goals and provided 56 assists in 172 appearances overall. The Frenchman also won the DFB Cup in 2022 and 2023.
See all Leipzig's summer comings and goings here
Now 28, Nkunku offers Leipzig plenty of Bundesliga experience and versatility, given that he can play anywhere in the final third. If he can rediscover his best form, Leipzig are in for a real treat.
Watch: Christopher Nkunku - the art of dribbling
Key player: David Raum
Leipzig captain Raum could be another player to have a significant impact on Leipzig’s potential success this season. The German international has now been at the club for five years and, based on what he has to say about Demichelis’ brand of football, we could yet see him adding more in an attacking sense.
"I can always push forward, get involved. My role under Micho is one that can be very, very fun and where – I don't want to promise too much now – I can add a few more goals and assists," explained Raum.
Watch: Martín Demichelis arrives in Leipzig
Talking point
With the likes of Christoph Baumgartner, Rômulo and Ouédraogo all currently out injured, Leipzig are a little thin on the ground ahead of their opening assignment of the 2026/27 campagn.
Their absence makes the addition of Nkunku all the more important as Demichelis' side aim to hit the ground running without some of their big hitters.
Follow Leipzig’s Bundesliga opener with Gladbach here!
