Against Iceland, Christopher Nkunku played well, rounding off a decent performance with a goal for France. Now, AC Milan have a decision to make.
Nkunku’s start to the new season has been difficult, largely because Chelsea did not include him in their pre-season campaign. So, he was forced to play catch-up when Milan paid the big bucks to bring him to Italy.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
That process has been gradual, and he has been given chances here and there by Massimiliano Allegri. However, the biggest chance so far has come from Didier Deschamps.
Nkunku on the offensive
Before the Iceland game, the French manager stated that he ‘needed consistency’, but possessed immense quality. A sign of faith, and Nkunku paid it back when he was entrusted with a starting role, even if not in his favoured position.
As Calciomercato.com write, he started on the left – where Rafael Leao would normally play – and scored a lovely goal. Proof that his condition and confidence are growing to the point where he is now the one smiling.
The attacker was effective, and his second goal for the national team may be a message to Allegri that he is ready to take the mantle, if others are not. Whether he will be ready to start another game will be assessed.
If it is not Leao this weekend, it is difficult to see a reason why it wouldn’t be Nkunku at this stage.
Having 2 fantastic players vying for the same role is a great ‘problem’ for Milan to have. Quite frankly this either or narrative may get the fans riled up into a frenzy, but I’m happy to see Milan have multiple quality attacking options. Remember how everyone in this forum complained that Milan were too Leao dependent? Now that the team has other quality options, everyone wants to have a go at Leao. He’s too good a player to ignore. I’m not worried at all. He’ll be back to his best soon enough.