Amunike and Peseiro weigh in: Can ‘excellent’ Chukwueze reignite his spark at AC Milan?

Samuel Chukwueze’s potential remains undeniable, but his journey at AC Milan has been challenging since his high-profile move from Villarreal, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigerian football legend Emmanuel Amunike and former Super Eagles coach José Peseiro have offered insights into what the winger needs to succeed in Italy and beyond.

Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan seen in action during Serie A 2024/25 football match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at San Siro Stadium. Photo Credit – IMAGO

Chukwueze, 25, has shown glimpses of brilliance at Milan, including a brace against Sassuolo on his 50th appearance for the club and a spectacular goal for Nigeria against Rwanda last November. Yet, his overall form has been inconsistent, sparking rumours of a possible January move to the Premier League or Saudi Arabia.

Former Nigeria coach José Peseiro, who worked with Chukwueze during his tenure with the Super Eagles, remains confident in the player’s ability to grow.

Speaking to Sportitalia via Milan News, Peseiro said of Chukwueze and Milan teammate Rafael Leao:

“Two excellent players. I trained one (Cbukwueze) in the Nigerian national team, and the other (Rafael Leao) I would have loved to have at Sporting.

“Extraordinary players, with great quality and potential to grow even further. And I believe that Paulo Fonseca will help them become even better.”

Mg Milano 15/12/2024 – campionato di calcio serie A / Milan-Genoa / foto Matteo Gribaudi/Image nella foto: Samuel Chukwueze. Credit – IMAGO

Similarly, Emmanuel Amunike, who discovered Chukwueze as a youth player for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, believes Milan’s coaching staff plays a crucial role in unlocking his potential.

“When you have a player that you are looking to achieve something with, you should also be able to look at what is best for them and how you can bring out the best in them,” Amunike told SportsBoom.

Milan, Italy, 15th December 2024. Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match at Giuseppe Meazza, Milan. Picture credit: Jonathan Moscrop / Sportimage

However, Amunike stressed that much depends on Chukwueze himself.

“If he is doing well, it’s up to him if he is comfortable in Milan or wants to make the switch. A journey to success is not a straight line; it’s lined with ups and downs,” he explained.

Chukwueze has three goals and one assist in 20 appearances for Milan this season and five goals in 38 caps for Nigeria.

This post was last modified on December 18, 2024 4:55 pm

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad. From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.

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