One of the big positives from AC Milan’s Coppa Italia last 16 win over Sassuolo was the performance of Samuel Chukwueze, who scored twice.
This morning’s edition of Corriere dello Sport (via MilanNews) writes that last night’s game might have been the best individual performance by Chukwueze in any match since he joined Milan from Villarreal last year.
It was not only his brace that caught the eye – the result of excellent movements in behind – but also the fact he was a constant threat on the right flank. He seemed to really grasp what runs to make when, showing a good first touch and composure to bury both of his goals.
Before yesterday evening’s double, the Nigerian had already netted in the Champions League with goals against Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle. Rewinding the tape even further, he was a driving force for Villarreal in the Copa del Rey, the Europa League and the Conference League.
In the Champions League he eliminated Bayern Munich with a goal in the final minutes, in the round of 16. Perhaps it’s a coincidence, but the 25-year-old could really be the ‘cup man’ for Milan and he an important weapon.
His first season at Milan was far from ideal amid physical problems and then also the mid-season African Cup of Nations. Only from March onwards did he string together good performances, and yet in the summer he did not want to entertain the idea of an exit.
The competition for places is tough – especially on the right given Christian Pulisic’s form and Yunus Musah’s new role – but the intention for Chukwueze is to give Fonseca a real selection headache.
Chuku is a curious case. If he was playing for Atalanta he’d be doing 20 g&a a season.. i’m sure of it.
At Milan, he is trying but its hot and cold with him..
Yeah I agree, last year him, Reijnders and Pulisic was the players that I was the most happy about us acquiring and I think he has been a rather huge disapointment blowing hot and cold but mostly cold.
I’d still sign either Beradi or Chiesa if they are available at a reasonable price and if the Nigerian doesn’t permanently turns up his performances with a notch or two before the season ends i’d sell him. Same pretty much goes for Okafor.
Yeah. If we get a nice little Italian to replace him I’d sell away. Unless he blows this season.
We definitely want more for a 4M net salary player
Yeah he should start proving himself more consistently because otherwise he is definitely to expenssive keeping around. I do nevertheless like the fella and he does show glimpses of a great player but that just isn’t enough in my view.
I dunno about Chiesa but I’d replace him with Berardi in a heartbeat and wouldn’t look back. Ever.
I wouldn’t mind Chiesa but also leans more towards Beradi as he has been a beast in Serie A for the last decade in g/a contributions pr. year minus this year of course but he seems to be starting to come up in gears again and would come cheap both in fee and probably also salary. It’s highly unlikely that Sassuolo would have been relegated last season to begin with had he not been injured for a longer duration of time.
Exactly my thoughts as well!
Playing for Atalanta is not the same pressure as playing for Milan. Most players will do well at small clubs but can’t handle the pressure at big clubs.
That’s the problem with players like CDK. Put in any big club and I guarantee you that he will not play like how he’s playing at Atalanta.
Daniel Maldini would do much better than CDK at Milan. It’s a pity the Milan management didn’t just loan him out instead of selling him even though we can buy him back for 6m. But it’s up to him and his father Paulo Maldini to decide where he will play next season.
Maybe..to me chuku doesn’t look like he’s effected by pressure tho..
I’d say his biggest issue is irregular gametime.
Stop speaking in absolutes.
You can’t guarantee anything that CDK won’t shine in a bigger club that’s not Milan. You are not a soothsayer or a precog.
Just because he did not do good against Milan doesn’t mean that if atalanta sold him to a bigger club he would do bad.
Dont just go of on a whim and claim something based on circumstantial evidence of one occasion.
There’s no consistent playtime, even with Pulisic at the 10, because our midfield is weak with two people and we need Musah to balance it. Chuk isn’t defensive enough to makeup Emerson’s shortcomings…
Yup I agree, I think a better RB would help get him on the field more. I think Chuck also struggles to pick up his head in some situations. But Musah is hyper athletic and I’m becoming a fan of him on the right. I know he’s got much to improve but I see a good player in there.