One of the tasks that Paulo Fonseca faces early in his AC Milan tenure is getting the best out of players who perhaps did not have a leading role last season.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, Fonseca is attempting to relaunch three players who did not seem central to the project coming into prseason: Samuel Chukwueze, Alexis Saelemaekers and Noah Okafor.
A new starter
Admittedly, Chukwueze did end last season on the up and – after the flashes in the Champions League group (two goals against Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle) – from mid-March to mid-May he consistently showed why he is worth €20m plus €8m in bonuses.
Overall, however, his season was full of darkness rather than light, both because Christian Pulisic’s starting spot was never in doubt and because he was held back by a couple of injuries plus his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, which took him away from Stefano Pioli in January.
A month ago, the winger thus began a mission to redeem himself and he did so with the belief that the change on the bench would allow him to find more opportunities, given that there is a clean slate for everyone.
In his debut against Rapid Vienna he showed a couple of interesting runs, but he left the best for the tour of the United States with the two carbon copy assists for Lorenzo Colombo against Manchester City and the decisive goal in the victory against Real Madrid.
The difference compared to the past is perhaps in the greater confidence he feels or perhaps in beginning preparations from the first day, while last summer he had to catch up after having arrived at the end of July.
The fact remains that – if Pulisic is used more frequently as an attacking midfielder – on the right the lane will be free for the Nigerian to get regular starts and impose himself in Serie as he had done in LaLiga.
Two wild cards
Saelemaekers wasn’t even supposed to be in the USA. After his positive 2023-24 season with Bologna (four goals and three assists in 30 league appearances), the Rossoblu seemed inclined to sign him permanently by paying the €9.5m option to buy clause.
The change on the bench from Thiago Motta to Vincenzo Italiano has instead changed his date and the Belgian has returned to Milanello where Fonseca is happy to be able to count on him. In the Portuguese’s mind, Saelemaekers can be a useful option on both wings.
That’s why in recent days, when asked about Saelemaekers’ possible departure, Fonseca was clear: “He’s a player I like a lot because he has quality. Every coach would like a player like him and I’d like to keep him on the team.”
It was also a clear message to the management, who are now happy to accommodate the request unless an offer of at least €15m arrives, a hypothesis not on the horizon at the moment.
The one who is still waiting for a chance is Okafor who was a spectator in all five matches of Switzerland’s campaign at the European Championship. With Milan in 2023-24 he scored six goals in the league and when he beat the opposing goalkeeper, the Rossoneri obtained five wins and a draw.
He cost €14m and arrived from Red Bull Salzburg, the same club Strahinja Pavlovic has joined from, while Fonseca considers him an important wild card for the attacking department and would like to make him the Milan version of Jonathan David.
Okafor was among the last to join the squad out in the United States, but those who see him train assure that he has a ‘different desire compared to the past’.
Milan will make a mistake in not selling Saelemaekers. Kind like the Krunic-situation last year. The competition on the wings is to hard, and he is inconsistent as a squad-player. His price will be halved in January. That is my bet.
Read it again.
Milan would sell if 15m arrives.
Although i think 10-12 would seal the deal.
The problem is there has been no club that come with a concrete offer.
It was supposed to be Bologna but they are no longer an option.
Fonseca is thinking of pushing Pulisic to the middle which could create more room for Alex to be Chukwueze’s back up.
Besides, our team is playing in at least 3 competitions. We will need quality rotations.