Noah Okafor’s stock as an AC Milan player has risen in the past few weeks thanks to impressive performances against Lazio and Empoli in Serie A.
As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, the Swiss forward is starting to make a more concrete contribution to Milan’s season and there are two key factors behind it.
Having spent a long time out with an injury this season, Okafor is back and his attitude seems to be what has helped him settle straight back into proceedings.
He is willing to play wherever Stefano Pioli needs him, and he is comfortable with the role of Rafael Leao’s deputy for the time being.
As well as that, he clearly has immense confidence in his abilities. When on the pitch, he does come across as a player who is desperate to show his best and starts rushing decisions.
He emulated Leao at the weekend against Empoli with some great play that proved to be the assist for Christian Pulisic’s goal, showing that Milan can still impress with Leao on the bench.
As well as impressing from the start there, he was vital off of the bench against Lazio where he scored a late winning goal. His attitude remains the same, be that as a starter or as a substitute.
I thought he did well esp for being out of the starting XI for so long. His ball control was good but Isamjli did well to stop him. He has decent trickery and seemed up for the game. It’s good to see players come on and want to assert themselves. He’s never going to do the same things as Leao. But he does operate on the wing very well, just in a different way
I am impressed that he went right back to a high level after returning from injury. He clearly was working hard to get back into form. He’s an immensely talented player and I see a good future for him here at Milan. Now I hope he maintains that and stays match fit.