Pioli chides Chukwueze over lack of goals, performance

AC Milan’s head coach Stefano Pioli has delivered a direct and uncompromising message to Samuel Chukwueze, urging the Super Eagles’ winger to improve his goal-scoring output.

Despite the high hopes surrounding Chukwueze’s arrival from Villarreal last summer, the 24-year-old has failed to find his footing at the San Siro.

Chukwueze had a relatively successful six-year stint at Villarreal, contributing 68 goals for the La Liga side, where he also won the UEFA Europa League against Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Manchester United in 2021.

The Nigerian international has, however, failed to replicate this form in Italy, as he has only found the net twice in 21 outings for the Rossoneri.

Milan’s 1-1 draw against Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta over the weekend saw Chukwueze sidelined, with Pioli pointing to Christian Pulisic’s impressive form as a reason for the Nigerian’s absence.

To get more playing time under his belt, Pioli emphasized the need for Chukwueze to emulate Pulisic’s effectiveness in scoring, assisting, and overall contribution to the team.

“Pulisic and Chukwueze have the same characteristics, they’re similar players and play the same positions,” Pioli told Milan media.

“Pulisic scores goals, gets assists, and creates chances. He works, and Chukwueze has to do the same. He has to score goals, to get assists, and has to work.”

As a consequence of his underperformances, Football 411 reported Chukwueze’s imminent departure from AC Milan in the summer window. He’s likely to be accompanied by Swiss-Nigerian striker Noah Okafor who has also failed to meet expectations.