Noah Okafor is starting to convince head coach Stefano Pioli that he could be used as a centre-forward after some impressive training sessions, a journalist has claimed.
Reports suggest that the Milan management are still on the lookout for a new centre-forward who could come in and rotate with Olivier Giroud, while also allowing Lorenzo Colombo to go out on loan and get more regular playing time.
However, there is also the possibility that the solution is in-house, as Peppe Di Stefano revealed to the microphones of Sky with his comments relayed by SempreMilan.it.
“From what we know, especially after today’s training, Okafor is starting to convince even as a central striker, an alternative to Giroud,” he said.
The former Salzburg player has speed and technical skills capable of making him dangerous on the entire front line, but the last few training sessions that saw him used as a striker have clearly surprised Pioli.
Thus, the head coach will be able to count on a movement-based striker who has characteristics different from Giroud and can perhaps aid the transition-based play Pioli likes.
Ok. Is that why we are going after Moise Kean right now?
Yeah, better save it for DMF or CB
Yesterday, Peppe Di Stefano:
“According to what is being reported by Peppe Di Stefano of Sky (via MilanZone), there are three main reasons behind Pioli’s thinking that a new striker is a priority in the final fortnight of the window.
Firstly, in training it became clear to the head coach that new signing Noah Okafor performs better as a winger than as a striker, and thus he will be the deputy to Rafael Leao.”
Today Peppe Di Stefano:
“From what we know, especially after today’s training, Okafor is starting to convince even as a central striker, an alternative to Giroud,” he said.”
An overnight turnaround.
It must have been an all time great training session for Okafor, or the more likely scenario, Peppe Di Stefano doesn’t know jack and just talks out of his arse.
Pioli just adapt either with new management or new players since winger position is occupied.
LW leao, pulisic
RW chuck,romero
Or we could make him a striker and still want another striker, since Origi is not part of this team?
Or…Pioli probably only just realized that for 433 you need a mobile striker who can pass, drift wide and deep but also play with his back to goal. Look at any successful modern 433 and they have well a rounded #9. I love Giroud but he’s limited and old. He’s going to struggle without someone right next to him
Wouldn’t be a surprise based on the construction/composition of the current squad
I have a feeling we will likely be going back to 4-2-3-1 soon enough.
I said it. After 5 games we will revert back to that formation which makes the most sense. I just hate how pioli likes to add someone like loftus as the attacking mid when you can play pulisic there and have chukwueze on the right.
I don’t think Pioli will have the guts to play Pulisic in the middle, he always put there a player able to support from the deep in the midfield. With this 433 he’s going in reverse, starting a build up with three in the middle while one of two mezzala’s drift inside the middle. It was seen either from Reijnders or RLC, they were playing high up in final third.
based on the tactics. RLC kinda makes more sense in the KDB role (not really but more so than pulisic) and Reijnders in the Gundogan. Pulisics work rate makes his more of a fit for the bernardo silva role…depends what the play looks like against a low block and what the press looks like.
And that will be the best for this team.
Chukwueze Pulisic Leao
Okafor/OG
Fax. It’s so obvious. I don’t know why pioli is not willing to try yet.
Leao and Chukwueze are practically non-defensive, and to balance this we need to move to 4-3-3. I don’t understand why you forgot that last season the entire right flank worked for attacking the left flank in defense. And Pulisic is NOT a AM.
It seem like hes copying citys tactics.
3-2-4-1 on offense
4-2-4 press back into a 4-4-2…
Chukwueze can’t press? if not, that explains pulisic there.
Better
Really wondering why we signed Okafor, it really doesn’t seem like there’s any idea of the role they want for him. With Pulisic, Leao and Chukwueze then there’s no spot on the wings so surely he was signed as a striker?
“Really wondering why we signed Okafor, it really doesn’t seem like there’s any idea of the role they want for him.”
To study Leao and once he is sold, Okafor will take his place.
Well, this is Pioli homework to do. He must make Okafor be usefull as a centre forward.
I know this is not easy, but Pioli can’t keep asking new players anymore. Because he has given 8 new players. And all of them are as is Pioli requested.
This season, Pioli must prove himself, by take Milan dominating and hopefully be champion again.
I mean, Liverpool won the league and CL with Mane – Bobby – Salah trio up front. And Bobby is no classic CF.
Ancelotti won his first match a week ago playing 4312 with Vini and Rodrygo up front. Non of these two are classic CF’s.
Why can’t Pioli play Leao-Okafor-Chuk trio is beyond me. These three together would create a havoc for any opposition’s defence. Unpredictable and able to score.
If we use 4-3-3, I think Okafor can be better than Giroud, because Okafor is a complete striker : Has a good technical, fast, strong, and stand at 185cm so should pretty good in air.
So Okafor might offer more fluidity than Giroud. To compare, Okafor might play like Benzema when BBC trio era at Real Madrid. And hopefully Leao could play like CR7’s breaking-record performances.
Alternatif to giroud, backup for giroud, I’m getting tired of this. Sounds like giroud scores 20+ goals per season. Cmon man wake up!!!