CM: Pioli relies on Okafor – a start in a new position for the ‘Swiss Army Knife’

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.