Stefano Pioli is ready to give Noah Okafor a rare start tonight against Monza as the forward hopes to build on a positive first season at the club.
Calciomercato.com confirm that Okafor will play in the unprecedented role of right winger in the attacking trident to give Christian Pulisic a breather. The fact that he was also preferred to the natural replacement Samuel Chukwueze makes it clear how far ahead he is in the pecking order.
Okafor has often played as a striker this season, like in the away match where he scored a goal against Cagliari, or as a left winger when Rafael Leao has needed a rest period.
It was precisely that role that Milan identified as the idea one when signing him in the summer. However, Okafor has always put himself at the service of the team, with quality and spirit. This attitude was immediately underlined positively by his team-mates and the coaching staff.
Last summer the former Red Bull Salzburg man joined on a contract until 2028, preferring the Rossoneri over Lazio and some German clubs as the next step in his young career.
It is a decision that can now be considered a win-win for both parties: Milan paid €15m and got an attacker with a goal every 111 minutes, some being very important ones, while the player feels the confidence from everyone and is now going for his fifth goal.
‘Swiss Army Knife’s is a perfect metaphor for him, the guy is really useful, a smart signing for us.
Yes Okafor should give pulisic breathing space while chukwueze should play as attacking midfield substituting Loftus cheek
This is not good for Chukwueze actually because he needs playing time and it is clear that Pioli doesn’t have any confidence in him if okafor starts at RW.
Milan made a huge investment for Chukwueze and we need to show faith in him if he should succeed. He’s made a few bad games but it’s normal since he is coming from a different league where the defending is much better than any other league.
Lol, pulisic, RLC & Okafor also came from abroad. Chukwueze has been uninspiring, look at his performance with the Nigerian team @AFCON (with or without stats).
Stop playing, if Chukwueze doesn’t step he could fall further behind if Romero comes back red-hot like Gabbia
Haha, see why pulisic will always start ahead of chukwueze came-on looked alive, always coming inside combining with teammates also dribbling and opening up monza from the right.
Look at that goal. Puli played his part.
Wasn’t enough as unintelligent Thiaw and papa pioli gave the game to monza.
OK4 starting out of position on the RW shows you how far ahead of Chuk he is ATM. Even after AFCON Chuk doesn’t seem to be in a good enough form to start in his position. But I don’t blame Pioli for his choice – Puli needs a break. I just hope OK4 can track back and defend as well.