AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has been heavily criticised over his reluctance to start Samuel Chukwueze in games.
The Nigeria international’s first year in Italy hasn’t been a smooth ride thus far, having been in and out of the starting line-up. Chukwueze joined the Rossoneri from Villarreal last year with the hope of taking the next step in his career and establishing himself at one of the biggest clubs in the world. However, he has struggled to command a consistent run of games despite Pioli publicly backing him.
The 24-year-old, who has started only 10 out of 21 Serie A matches this season, was part of Nigeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 in the Ivory Coast but didn’t impress there too and was reduced to cameo appearances as the Super Eagles finished the tournament as runners-up to the hosts.
Chukwueze was subsequently dropped for his country’s March international friendlies against Ghana and Mali but that break proved to be a blessing in disguise as he stayed behind to earn Pioli’s trust in training.
Stefano Pioli criticised over Samuel Chukwueze’s reduced playing time
Injuries to some members of the squad and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s suspension opened the doors for Samuel Chukwueze to feature more regularly and, after coming off the bench against Empoli and Slavia Prague, the winger scored against Verona in mid-March.
Chukwueze was rewarded with a start against Fiorentina in the following week and provided an assist in AC Milan’s 3-0 win over Lecce at the start of April. Despite his form gradually picking up, Chukwueze has surprisingly started just once in the club’s last four matches.
The former Villarreal star was once again left on the bench during the Rossoneri’s clash against Inter Milan last Monday – a game where their rivals won 2-1 to seal their 20th league title. Chukwueze’s dire situation was made even worse by the fact that in Olivier Giroud’s absence, Pioli decided to play Rafael Leao as a false nine and opted for Yunus Musa for the right-wing position against Inter.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Ponciroli believes Pioli has been unfair to Chukwueze and has, therefore, slammed the AC Milan boss for denying the winger game time. In his view, the Nigeria international is better than Musah and deserves to start more often.
“I don’t know what Pioli sees in Musah, there’s Chukwueze in good condition and I don’t know why he never plays,” Ponciroli told TMW Radio.
“I think Pioli has lost control of the situation. He was certainly convinced of these choices, it’s true that talking about them later is easier, but from before I already considered these choices to be wrong.”
Samuel Chukwueze could have a new coach at AC Milan next season
Meanwhile, Samuel Chukwueze and his teammates could be working with a new manager next season, with AC Milan all but set to sack Pioli at the end of the current campaign. The 58-year-old is in his fourth season with the Rossoneri but the club has lined up a new coach to take over.
Although Pioli won the league two years ago, the club’s hierarchy believes he hasn’t been able to bring out the best in the squad at his disposal following a massive investment last year. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan have already approached former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui to replace Pioli, with talks far advanced.
“AC Milan are advancing in talks with Julen Lopetegui as new head coach to replace Pioli. Lopetegui’s giving priority to AC Milan over West Ham and more European clubs; positive talks took place about the project. Further steps yet to be discussed soon,” Romano wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
A change of manager could be good news for Chukwueze, who doesn’t seem to be fancied much by Pioli and has found game time hard to come by under the Italian manager. The 24-year-old would, however, have to up his game after contributing just three goals and two assists in all competitions this season.
