Noah Okafor became AC Milan’s sixth signing of the summer yesterday, and now there are question marks about the role he will take up.
As MilanNews writes, Okafor is known for his versatility because he can play virtually anywhere across the forward line having occupied a number of different roles in his young career so far.
Okafor has played 64 games as a centre-forward, 64 games as a left winger and 38 as a right winger, demonstrating the flexibility of a player who admitted himself in his first interview that he will play where he is needed.
“I’m fast and capable in one-on-one situations. I’m flexible, I can play as a first striker or in a two-man attack, I want to take advantage of my speed,” he said.
There are also several Austrian journalists that have confirmed this, including the expert Harald Bartl: “He’s not a typical striker, like Haaland to be clear. He can do it but he prefers to play as an offensive winger, possibly on the left where he can take advantage of his speed and cut the pitch.”
As a result, there are different ways that Okafor could be used by Milan. The first is as a ‘false nine’ type centre-forward, rotating with Oliver Giroud who obviously has very different characteristics.
He could play off the Frenchman as a second striker too, or he can even play in place of Rafael Leao on the left and one of the two wingers on the right.
However, it will not be enough to roll the dice to find the best position for the 23-year-old. That is why the fact he is flying out for the preseason games in the United States is key, as it will give Pioli time to study his role.
