Although Christopher Nkunku’s return to RB Leipzig was hailed as a major coup, the 28-year-old has yet to rediscover the form that made him one of Europe’s most exciting players during his first spell at the club.

Nkunku has recorded one goal and two assists in his first five competitive games since returning to Leipzig. However, those numbers fall short of the high standards supporters came to expect from him during his previous spell.

According to BILD , club officials believe Nkunku’s early struggles are linked to his lack of a proper pre-season, which left him short of both match fitness and time to build an understanding with his new teammates.

Nkunku is now using the international break to address those issues.

According to the report, he trained with a personal coach in his native France last week. Alongside regular ball work, he completed specialised resistance training in which he was strapped to a wall with an elastic band to improve his explosiveness, acceleration and speed. Those elements will continue to feature in his work with the team this week and next.

Nkunku is also expected to further familiarise himself with head coach Martín Demichelis’ tactical ideas. The aim is to have him ready to make a greater impact when Leipzig return to Bundesliga action against Eintracht Frankfurt on October 10.