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Despite his signing promising so much, the Nigeria international has hitherto failed to sparkle for the Italian heavyweights.
A month back, AC Milan led 2-0 in Lecce, but it did not stop Samuel Chukwueze from gesturing to his teammates to avoid an end-to-end game in Puglia. Stefano Pioli’s side netted two first-half goals and looked in control of proceedings, only to pay the price for their egregious game management after the interlude.
Chukwueze, for his part, had played a role in the second 10 minutes before the break, setting up fellow summer arrival Tijjani Reijnders to put some more daylight between the Rossoneri and their hosts. However, Lecce upped the ante after the break, and Milan crumbled, conceding twice and almost allowing a third — they let in another at the death, but Roberto Piccoli’s outstanding effort from distance was ruled out after a pitch-side VAR review.
Despite leading 2-0 at the break — and almost adding to their advantage several times in an encouraging opening 45 — Milan probably deserved to lose going by their second-half collapse.
Chukwueze, replaced minutes after Lameck Banda’s 70th-minute leveller, was upset to come off. Despite his first goal contribution in competitive games for Milan, the Super Eagles star endured a frustrating outing in Puglia where very little came off. He completed one dribble from six attempts, was successful in a paltry three ground duels from 14 tussles and lost possession 14 times — outdone only by Theo Hernandez’s 19 on the away roster.
Samuel Chukwueze’s Milan transfer is going off-kilter
A month later, the Nigeria international has added only one more goal contribution in a Milan jersey — scoring brilliantly against Borussia Dortmund on matchday five of the Champions League — but his withdrawal at Atalanta last weekend was telling. Pioli’s men had just fallen behind to another strike from the impressive Ademola Lookman, prompting the Rossoneri boss to act; out went Chukwueze, with the returning Ismael Bennacer replacing the former Villarreal man.
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20:41 - 09.12.2023
Atalanta 3-2 Milan: Lookman outshines Chukwueze with fantastic brace in battle of the Eagles
Nigerian duo Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze were in action in the five-goal thriller between Atalanta and AC Milan in the Serie A.
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23:11 - 01.12.2023
AC Milan legend slams cheap 'Moneyball' signings of Chukwueze and Chelsea rejects
The five-time UEFA Champions League winner believes that signing Chukwueze was a mistake on the path of AC Milan
While that alteration was tactical, it was undoubtedly harrowing. Pioli would not replace Rafael Leao if he needed more midfield bodies, nor would Christian Pulisic be withdrawn if the Rossoneri are chasing a game. Leao is the team’s talisman, while the USMNT superstar has already shown a decisive characteristic in his first few months with the Italian giants.
Simply put, Chukwueze has been barely pivotal for Pioli’s troops and is not trusted to come up trumps for the seven-time European champions in tight games. Whether that eventually comes remains to be seen, but the reality is currently disappointing for the Nigerian, who was tipped to help wean Milan off their dependency on Leao.
While the Portugal international has been missing since going off injured against Lecce, the Milanisti cannot wait for their star player’s return. Reports in Italy suggest that Leao is reinstated into Wednesday’s XI for a pivotal Champions League game at Newcastle United, the greatest indictment of Chukwueze.
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Pioli risking his star player despite zero minutes in his legs in a month after a hamstring injury and an acceptance that 90 minutes are not guaranteed only underscores Chukwueze’s disappointing start to life with the club.
Samuel Chukwueze’s stats in 2023-24
According to Fbref, the Nigerian’s underlying numbers validate the eye test, especially for the ex-Villarreal attacker’s top metrics. Chukwueze’s take-ons success is at an all-time low (28.2%), and his progressive carrying stats per 90 have dipped.
Strikingly, the 24-year-old’s shot and goal-creating actions p/90 stats have nosedived to 2.15 and 0.18, respectively. For clarity, these metrics were 4.23 and 0.58 in his final season at Villarreal.
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In 2022-23, the Nigerian's successful take-ons p/90 leading to shots was 0.92, which has now fallen to 0.36. For context, he never fell below 0.53 dribbles preceding shots p/90 in Spain, demonstrating the drop-off at Milan this term.
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17:19 - 23.11.2023
Former England manager Capello criticises 'shy' Chukwueze, labels Milan move an error
Samuel Chukwueze was one of 10 players signed by AC Milan in the summer, but Fabio Capello says the transfer was an error from the Serie A giants.
Have Milan’s injuries contributed to Chukwueze’s dip?
Chukwueze has not been helped by the constant change around him, highlighted in the eight starts made in all competitions in his debut season with the Rossoneri.
This has been an upshot of the club’s non-stop injury bugbear in 2023-24 — highlighted by Sky Italia at the backend of November indicating that Pioli’s troops had suffered 25 different issues — with Chukwueze not left out after being in the wars with a hamstring problem in October.
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While some could scoff at the suggestion, the lack of continuity means relationships cannot be developed in the attacking third, thus creating a challenge for a player in his first campaign away from the Spanish top division.
There were encouraging signs in Milan’s defeat by Dortmund on matchday five, but Chukwueze may have to make way for Leao on Wednesday after five consecutive starts.
While it is another setback for the Nigerian, only with the requisite capacity to recover will he show the best version of himself in Milanello.
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