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By: Ebenezer Bajela
Virgil, the renowned Roman poet, once said, “Fortune sides with him who dares.”
Virgil’s popular saying seemed to have inspired Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze’s move to the Italian topflight at the beginning of the season, but ‘fortune’ hasn’t yet smiled on the winger, after arriving in the land of the Azzuri.
Adored and loved by the Yellow Submarines faithful during his five-year spell at Spanish club Villarreal, Chukwueze took the bold step of moving to Italian giants AC Milan, becoming the ninth Nigerian to don the Rossoneri jersey in the process.
Chukwueze joined Milan during the 2023 summer transfer window for a deal worth €20m plus some substantial bonuses, which made him the most expensive signing of a window that saw 10 players join the San Siro outfit.
The 24-year-old arrived after a season in which he amassed 13 goals and 11 assists in 52 appearances for the Yellow Submarines and was expected to become the next big thing at the San Siro. Milan pushed hard and got their man in late July, and there was a lot of excitement about his arrival.
When the Italian giants decided to spend the cash on the Nigerian, many thought the move would provide him the opportunity to develop his ability to become world-class but instead the Super Eagles star has failed to live up to expectations since his move to the San Siro.
Regarded as a rising star that could help revive the fortunes of the club, Chukwueze now finds himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, his lacklustre performances casting doubts on his future with the Rossoneri.
Recently, Milan coach, Stefano Pioli, addressed the Nigerian’s underwhelming performance while comparing him to American winger Christian Pulisic, who has taken Serie A by storm since his arrival last summer from Chelsea.
“Pulisic and Chukwueze have the same characteristics,” Pioli said.
“Pulisic scores goals, assists, and works. Chukwueze needs to step up. He needs to score goals, he needs to get assists, and he needs to work.”
While Pulisic has seamlessly integrated into Milan’s system, the Nigerian has struggled to make an impact, leaving fans and pundits alike scratching their heads in frustration.
The 58-year-old Italian manager isn’t the only one concerned about the Nigerian’s output at the Italian giants. Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano also labelled Chukwueze the “disappointment of the season” for
“Pioli has got many players back and therefore is no longer in an emergency and has a good squad in terms of numbers.
“He doesn’t have great alternatives at right wing, because Chukwueze is the disappointment of the season. Only 10 starts and a few minutes for a player who hasn’t shown the qualities he showed with Villarreal,” Di Stefano was quoted as saying by PianetaMilan.
Despite showing early glimpses of brilliance, the winger has struggled to replicate the same form that earned him the move to San Siro and has only scored two goals and provided an assist in 21 appearances, a stark contrast to Pulisic’s impressive tally of eight goals and seven assists in all competitions for Milan.
Chukuwueze came off the bench in the 83rd minute to score the game-winning goal as Milan came from behind to beat Newcastle United 2-1 at St. James’ Park in the UEFA Champions League. He also scored a sensational goal against Borussia Dortmund in the UCL at the San Siro Stadium.
Both goals against Dortmund and Newcastle remain significant, but the Nigerian has not got anywhere close to the form that he had with Villarreal.
While Noah Okafor, the Swiss international of Nigerian descent, got the winning goal against Lazio on Friday night to secure a big victory for his team, Chukwueze remained on the bench watching on.
Sunday’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote about Milan and the performances off the bench. Okafor and Luka Jovic have done very well this season, providing goals, but Chukwueze is struggling.
The Rossoneri have scored 13 of their 51 goals in the league this season through substitutes, a number that no team in the ‘top five’ European leagues can match, but Chukwueze is the exception.
Stefano Pioli didn’t use him at all against Lazio and Chukwueze, who returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, has not shown very promising sides recently. Against Monza he was replaced in the 45th minute, in Rennes he only played the last half hour and against Atalanta he didn’t play.
Taribo West, the second Nigerian to play for Milan after Aliyu Datti, in an interview with PUNCH Sports Extra, backed his countryman to excel in Italy.
“Chukwueze has everything and I believe he is in the best club in the world but all he needs is patience and wait for his time, he will break through,” he said.
Amidst the winger’s struggle for form, Austin Okocha, while speaking with LiveScore, believes the Nigeria international has all the tools to thrive at the San Siro.
“He’s been outstanding in the last few years now,” he said.
“He’s been faced with a new challenge and it’s all about how quickly he can adjust.
“Language is always important because it’s always good to be able to communicate but his talent is never in doubt.
“I think he’s a great addition to the Milan team and I have no doubt that he will do well.”
There is no denying Chukwueze’s talent but he needs to step up his games and prove his critics wrong and despite the backing of Taribo and Okocha asking for time for the Nigerian, time is what Pioli might not have as the coach intends to get results and keep their title hopes alive.
There is still time to make up for it, but Chukwueze will have to take advantage of all the opportunities he will have at Milan to show that he was worth the €20m plus €8m (bonuses) investment.
And he could get his chance for redemption against Slavia Praha in the Europa Cupon Thursday.
As reported by Tuttosport (via Milan News), the winger may get the nod on the right wing ahead of Christian Pulisic so that the American can have a well-earned rest.