AC Milan Boss Sends Clear Message to Samuel Chukwueze After Struggles in Italy

AC Milan Boss Sends Clear Message to Samuel Chukwueze After Struggles in Italy

Chukwu Ikechukwu
February 26, 2024 at 11:09 AM
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  • Samuel Chukwueze has been told to step up at AC Milan
  • The Nigerian winger has been struggling in his first season in Italy
  • Chukwueze joined AC Milan from Spanish side Villareal last summer

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli did not hold back when criticising Samuel Chukwueze as the Super Eagles winger continues to struggle in his first season with the Italian giants.

The Nigerian winger has found first-team opportunities limited under Pioli's stewardship this season, with Christian Pulisic preferred ahead of the 24-year-old since arriving in Milan from Villareal in the summer.

Samuel Chukwueze, AC Milan, Serie A, Stefano Pioli, Nigeria
Samuel Chukwueze has scored just two goals since joining AC Milan in the summer from Villareal. Photo by Claudio Villa.
Source: Getty Images

According to the Daily Post, Pioli has given Chukwueze tips on how to usurp the USA winger and finally get his game on track at AC Milan after his struggles, which have seen him become a fringe player for the Rossonieri.

“Pulisic and Chukwueze have the same characteristics. Pulisic scores goals, assists and works. Chukwueze has to score goals, he has to get assists and has to work.” Pioli told the club’s official website.

Chukwueze has failed to register a goal in 15 Serie A appearances for AC Milan this season.

How Chukwueze compares to Pulisic

Chukwueze must improve in areas such as Pulisic's ability to regularly score goals, provide assists, and work rate in order to keep his place on the AC Milan roster.

The Nigerian winger has made just three goal contributions since joining AC Mian in the summer, scoring twice and assisting just once for the Rossonieri in all competitions this season, GOAL reports.

Chukwueze has also made just ten starts across all competitions for Milan, unlike Pulisic, who has contributed eight goals and seven assists for the Italian giants since arriving from Chelsea in the summer.

Chukwueze dropped from AC Milan team

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Chukwueze has been dropped from the AC Milan squad for their UEFA Europa League knockout round play-offs against Rennes after returning late from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 24-year-old winger was a member of Nigeria's Super Eagles side that placed second in the 2023 AFCON, and he was absent representing his country for nearly five weeks.

Chukwueze has made 19 appearances in all competitions for AC Milan this season and has contributed just two goals and one assist for the Italian giants.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..