Premier League

Absolutely nothing is known about him, the mystery of Chukwueze

The former Villarreal player was one of Milan's great hopes last summer, but he has not yet scored goals. Against Dortmund he has a huge opportunity.

By Liam Styles

The former Villarreal player was one of Milan's great hopes last summer, but he has not yet scored goals. Against Dortmund he has a huge opportunity.

Samuel Chukwueze had been one of the most exciting signings of last summer for Milan. There was a time when the winger seemed out of reach due to the interests of the Premier League, but the Rossoneri managed to incorporate him by paying more than 20 million euros. His 13 goals and 11 assists last season with Villarreal suggested another great weapon for Pioli, but his first months did not meet expectations.

Chukwueze had two big problems at San Siro. The first was Pulisic's performance. With Leao untouchable on the left wing, there was a place in the eleven on the other side, and the American, with four goals and two assists in his first 11 Serie A games, has quickly earned the trust of the coach and the environment.

The second was an injury to the femoral biceps that left him out of action for a couple of weeks and slowed down an adaptation to Calcio that was already difficult for him. The result of all this is summed up in his numbers; 378 minutes spread over nine appearances in Serie A, just 81 in the Champions League, all without goals.

Stefano Pioli defended him several times. The last one, after the hard-fought victory with Fiorentina, he says that he had a good performance and worked inside the field to be in the center of the plays. These are improvements that the Nigerian will have to demonstrate no matter what tonight. The injuries to Leao and Okafor gave him a huge opportunity against Borussia Dortmund, the former Villarreal player will start, completing the trident with Giroud and Pulisic.

Without receiving forgiveness

The Tifosi have still not forgiven him for the wasted opportunity in the 0-0 draw in the first leg, a head-to-head match that could have been worth a fundamental victory. Chukwueze, with a great performance and a victory, would change the course of his course and begin to give strength to the investment of the Rossonero club. By winning, Milan would approach a difficult qualification to the round of 16, whose value is around 20 million euros. More or less what it cost to bring him from Villarreal.
 

Topics


More news