Samuel Chukwueze: What will Super Eagles winger bring to AC Milan?

Samuel Chukwueze Day has arrived!

Today, Thursday, 27 July, Milan will secure the Nigerian winger with a contract running until 2028.

Chukuweze’s arrival marks the seventh successful market move for the Rossoneri, adding to the ranks of Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, Sportiello, Romero, Pulisic, and Okafor under Stefano Pioli’s command. The deal will cost around 28 million euros, including bonuses, and bolster Milan’s offensive capabilities.

Chukwueze is expected to take up the right winger position in Milan’s new 4-3-3 formation. He has carved out his place in Villarreal with this role for five seasons, starting in 2018.

This position perfectly complements his strengths. Chukwueze excels at starting wide and then cutting inside to unleash his lethal left foot, reminiscent of the iconic Arjen Robben, earning him the nickname “Nigerian Robben.”

What sets Chukwueze apart is his blistering speed and prowess in one-on-one situations, attributes notably lacking in Milan’s squad last season.

While Saelemaekers is tactically disciplined, he lacks the electrifying bursts that Chukwueze brings. Similarly, though Messias shares some similarities in playing style, he may fall short in technical ability compared to the Nigerian forward.

Furthermore, Chukwueze brings a keen sense of goal-scoring to the Rossoneri.

During his stint in Spain, he netted an impressive total of 37 goals, with 13 of them coming in the last season alone (six in La Liga, four in the Copa del Rey, and three in the Conference League).

These numbers highlight his lethal proficiency in front of the goal, a crucial asset for a team like Milan, which faced offensive struggles last term.

With Chukwueze joining their ranks, Milan will hope to mount a strong challenge against Napoli and contend for the Scudetto, aiming to wrestle the title from Victor Osimhen and his teammates.

The Nigerian’s arrival injects excitement and optimism into the Rossoneri camp as they gear up for the 2023/2024 campaign.