CorSport: Amorim maintains faith in Chukwueze – how his new role could evolve further

Ruben Amorim made it clear from early in his AC Milan tenure that he highly rates Samuel Chukwueze, and it is being seen on the field.

As Corriere dello Sport recall, Amorim always stated that he did not want to talk about individuals, but there were some exceptions like Chukwueze. The winger was loaned to Fulham last season and returned as they did not use their option to buy, though many presumed he would leave Milan again.

Despite this, reports emerged suggesting that the coach could reinvent him as a wing-back. It was seen in the preseason friendlies and then affirmed in the first few games. So far, Chukwueze has always started (except in Turin against Juventus), and in that new role.

It is a position he had never played in his career and which seemed difficult to succeed in for an attack-first player like him. The Nigerian, however, showed that he is willing to work hard and seize this chance he has been given, yet Amorim wasn’t done tweaking things in pursuit of balance.

Amorim’s latest alteration

For this reason, in the match against Lecce , the coach devised an interesting tactical alternative: during possession, he slightly shifted Mario Gila to right-back. This was done in order to guarantee Chukwueze more coverage on the flank, who in turn was free to unleash his attacking skills.

It was a move that worked well as Milan won 3-0 and gave up very little in the defensive phase. Will it be repeated? It feels likely, but we’ll see with what kind of consistency, also based on the characteristics of the opponents.

Chukwueze is currently busy with Nigeria. Unlike European players, qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations stopped after the first two matches (one appearance for him, without a goal or an assist, but with the highest number of chances created and successful dribbles of his team).

However, there is a friendly to play on October 6 in Nizhny Novgorod against Russia. After that, he will return to Milanello. As Amorim often repeated, the ex-Villarreal man will alternate on the right with Diego Moreira, using a more established full-back like Pervis Estupinan or DavideBartesaghi on the left.