Samuel Chukwueze is having a difficult first season at AC Milan after being the most expensive signing of the last summer transfer window.
As Tuttosport (via PianetaMilan) recall this morning, Chukwueze arrived from Villarreal for €20m plus €8m in bonuses and has not performed as everyone would have hoped to this point.
His tally reads two goals: one against Borussia Dortmund at San Siro and then the winner in the 2-1 victory at Newcastle which in the end secured a spot in the Europa League. Aside from that, just one assist, and no goals in the league.
Everything is amplified by Christian Pulisic’s contrasting form. The two were expected to compete for the starting role on the right win but the American is performing at a completely different level. Pioli even said it recently.
“The difference between Pulisic and Samu? They play in the same position and have the same characteristics. Pulisic, however, works, assists and scores. Chukwueze must score goals, assists and work,” he said.
During the next three games – namely the two legs against Slavia Prague and the home match against Empoli – Pioli will have to rely on Chukwueze again to avoid the risk of overworking Pulisic given his injury history.
This is why on Thursday evening the Nigerian winger might start on the right, joined with Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao in the front three against the Czech side.
The paper concludes by drawing a comparison between Chukwueze and Charles De Ketelaere, who was also the marquee signing of a summer window and experienced first season struggles.
Even though there were many layers to the De Ketelaere enigma, Milan cannot make that same mistake of revoking their confidence in a player who clearly has talent to be exploited.
