If AC Milan’s 2022 summer transfer window was judged by many to be a flop, there can be no arguments – statistically at least – regarding the 2023 window being a big improvement.
La Gazzetta dello Sport write that of 77 goals scored by Milan in total this season across all competitions, 40 of them came from new additions, which is precisely 51.9 percent. Then there is also the assists, which total 16.
The match in Verona was also no exception to the rule as Theo Hernandez scored the opener before Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze – both signed last summer to compete for the same spot – each got their name on the scoresheet.
Of the 10 players who arrived summer of 2023, the American is by far the most prolific: 12 goals for the season (without any penalties) making him the team’s second top scorer behind Olivier Giroud (14), plus eight assists too. It has been a total resurgence for Pulisic, risen from the ashes of London.
Behind him is Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has an impressive nine goals for the season. For him too, the same thing as Pulisic: he returned to being the best version of himself after a tough period with Chelsea.
The Englishman is scoring more exponential increase in self-confidence, but also due to the rather attacking role created for him by Pioli. In his career, only once has he scored more than he is doing now: 10 goals for Chelsea in 2018-19, otherwise he has never exceeded two goals in a single season.
Then we find Luka Jovic on eight goals. He is a centre-forward by trade, but his employment has definitely not been continuous and in fact what stands out is the average goal: one every 121 minutes. He is fighting for a new deal.
Noah Okafor, another reserve option, also boasts a good average: five goals spread over 775 minutes, or one every 155 minutes. Finally, there are two players with three goals: Tijjani Reijnders and Samuel Chukwueze.
The Dutchman is a pillar of the midfield, but with the flaw of not being up to the standard of his technique when in front of the net. He could easily have scored double. The same goes for the Nigerian, who has scored some lovely goals but has been inconsistent generally.
