Noah Okafor of AC Milan

CM: ‘The right man at the right time’ – how Okafor can become fundamental

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Reports during the international break suggested that Noah Okafor would be given an opportunity when AC Milan returned, and he certainly took it.

With suggestions that Rafael Leao was unable to start against Udinese due to missing Thursday’s training session, the opportunity for Okafor opened, and it is likely he would’ve been given a chance regardless of the Portuguese winger’s condition.

The reports throughout the break had claimed that it was the Swiss winger’s opportunity to prove his worth to Milan, and with the January mercato approaching, there was a need to show signs of his ability which have not been seen for too long.

It is clear that the Swissman got the message, because in the early stages of the game, he was unplayable, creating threats at every opportunity with most of the play going down his side of the pitch.

As was the story with the rest of the team, the winger fought for everything, displaying the character that Fonseca demanded before the game. Because of this, Calciomercato.com writes that because he is mentally and physically fit, and partnered with his versatility, he could be a solution for the Rossoneri. Perhaps, as an alternative to Leao, or maybe even a competitor for Tammy Abraham.

Tags AC Milan Noah Okafor

14 Comments

  1. He is also Inconsistent but unlike leao he’s also injured a lot. But there is potential in him. He definitely does put more effort than leao. Okafor is a proper pit bull off the ball

    1. His finishing is subpar. Had he been a slightly better finisher, he could have gotten double the amount of goals he already scored.
      He does also seem to be a mis-understood player. When he is used as a striker, people say “no he is a left wing”, and when he plays as a left wing, people say “no he is a striker”. I remember Switzerland’s coach complaining about Pioli mis-using him. With Salzburg, he was a striker in a double striking system with Sesko.

  2. I don’t understand how Okafor and Chukwueze are better players than Messias or even Saelemaekers. They’re just more hyped.

    1. Yea at this point you’re absolutely correct especially with Chuk, Pioli did provide him with chances but Okafor really hasn’t been given enough chances to show what he can do on a consistent basis

    2. Okafor did produce the same G+A as Messias did despite playing around 700 to 900 minutes less each season.
      Outside of 2020/21 (3 goals and 7 assists), Saelemakers never produced more than 7 G+A despite playing about 2000 minutes or more each season. So I don’t see how any of them are better than him.
      For Chukwueze, well…

      1. I’d say Messias and Saele were aptly replaced by Pulisic.
        However, if we compare Okafor and Chuk stats together over Salad and Messias, the latter has produced more the season prior vs the following season with Chuk/Oka. But I think Okafor’s position is primarily on the left and sometimes a striker so the comparison is a bit wonky there as Salad and Messias are predominantly right wingers.
        With all that being said I still rate Okafor and Jovic as very good subs for the attacking line.

        1. “However, if we compare Okafor and Chuk stats together over Salad and Messias, the latter has produced more the season prior vs the following season with Chuk/Oka.”
          Well don’t forget that Messias/Salad were the starting right wingers while Okafor and Chuk played less than 1000 minutes each, so of course they’d produce less goals.

          1. Yea that’s fine on a per 90 basis. I’ll take your word for it (also from I can recall seems to check out too). So yes correct.

  3. I think the point is that Okafor is a suitable option on the left wing for when Leao is being/needing to be benched. I would love for Fonseca to rotate him and Leao more often than for disciplinary options only. Would do them both good.

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