After starring in our pre-season wins over Man City and Real Madrid, AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze is hopefully set for a big second season with us.
The 25-year-old arrived from Villarreal last summer and had an indifferent first campaign in Italy, having scored just three goals and provided only three assists in 33 appearances across all competitions.
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His struggles to establish himself in the Milan starting XI contributed to his inconsistency, but under Paulo Fonseca, the Nigerian international has a fresh chance to impress and cement his place in the line-up in the upcoming campaign.
He’s wasted little time in staking his claim too, as after registering two assists in our win over Man City at the weekend, Chukwueze bagged our winner over Real Madrid in midweek, and it’s hoped that he’s now hitting top physical condition, form and confidence ahead of what could be a big season for him.
While there’s always a hesitancy to take too much away from pre-season games given ultimately they mean little in the grand scheme of things, it is a time to look for trends and promising signs from players on an individual basis and as part of the collective.
In turn, the early indications are undoubtedly positive when it comes to Chukwueze’s role and importance to Fonseca, and he is likely playing his way into the Portuguese tactician’s plans for his starting line-up for our Serie A opener against Torino on August 17.
“Chukwueze didn’t play much last year and when a new coach arrives, you know, everyone wants to show what they can do,” Fonseca is quoted as saying by MilanNews. “I’m really happy for him, he’s doing really, really well. I think he’ll be important in the team and will make a difference.”
That’s a glowing review from the Milan boss as he’s evidently been left impressed by his winger, and it will be fundamental to have that balance in the final third on a consistent basis to take the pressure and responsibility off Rafael Leao’s shoulders, and have a dynamic attacking threat down both flanks for Alvaro Morata to also thrive off.
Add the likes of Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and others in the mix, coupled with any potential additional signings in that department as well as the influence and style of play that Fonseca is implementing, and there is hopefully entertaining and winning football ahead of us this season.
Naturally though, it’s one thing delivering in pre-season when the priority for many is simply getting fit and preparing for the new campaign and doing it in competitive action on a consistent basis week in and week out at the top level.
That’s the test that Chukwueze will still have to pass to earn the faith and trust of Fonseca this year, but he certainly looks like he’s finding form and confidence to stake his claim and hopefully emerge as a key figure for us moving forward.
🇳🇬 @chukwueze_8 stars in US Tour victory number two ✌️🇺🇸
AC Milan 1-0 Real Madrid ⚽#SempreMilan #MilanOnTour pic.twitter.com/gMGZmuOo16
— AC Milan (@acmilan) August 1, 2024