Despite a rocky start to his Serie A career, Samuel Chukwueze has reportedly drawn interest from Aston Villa, with Unai Emery eyeing a reunion with the Nigerian winger to bolster his attacking options.
This potential move raises questions about whether Emery can help Chukwueze rediscover the form that made him one of La Liga's top young talents during their time together at Villarreal.
The 25-year-old joined AC Milan in July 2023 for a reported fee of over €20 million after an impressive stint with Villarreal.
However, the Nigeria winger has struggled to adapt to Serie A, producing modest returns in his debut season.
Chukwueze’s struggles at AC Milan
Fast forward to his second season, across all competitions this term, Chukwueze has managed just three goals and one assist, a far cry from the explosive displays that once caught the attention of Europe’s top clubs.
In Serie A, the 24-year-old has featured in all 15 matches for Milan, starting seven and amassing 605 minutes. His only league goal came in October’s 1-0 victory over Udinese.
In the Champions League, he has registered just one assist across four games, while his most significant contribution came in the Coppa Italia, where he netted twice in a 6-1 thrashing of Sassuolo in December.
These numbers highlight Chukwueze’s struggle to adapt to the tactical and physical demands of Italian football.
Despite this, his potential remains evident, with glimpses of his quality in decisive moments. Milan, however, may face a difficult decision as his current market value has dipped slightly to €18 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Why Villa need Chukwueze
Unai Emery’s interest in Chukwueze is unsurprising, given their successful partnership at Villarreal.
During the Spaniard’s tenure with the Yellow Submarine, Chukwueze flourished, registering 14 goals and 15 assists in 94 appearances.
Emery trusted the Nigeria international, providing him with consistent game time and tactical freedom to express himself, and was rewarded with the player's career-best output.
A move to Villa Park could reignite his confidence, and Villa’s need for attacking reinforcements also makes this a compelling prospect.
Aston Villa’s attacking depth could benefit significantly from Chukwueze’s arrival. The club is competing on multiple fronts, including the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, and currently lacks a left-footed winger with Chukwueze’s profile.
Jamaican winger Leon Bailey is Villa’s only senior left-footed forward, but his performances have not been markedly better than Chukwueze’s this season.
When comparing the two players, Chukwueze has played 622 minutes across 15 appearances, averaging 41 minutes per game, while Bailey has logged 736 minutes in 14 games, averaging 53 minutes per match.
The Nigerian has scored one goal with an expected goals (xG) value of 1.28, while Bailey is yet to find the net with an xG of 0.58.
In terms of creativity, both players have created three big chances this season. Chukwueze boasts a slightly higher success rate with crosses and long balls, delivering 0.5 successful crosses per game at a 22.2% accuracy rate, compared to Bailey’s 0.2 crosses per game at 12.5%.
A move that benefits all parties
For Chukwueze, reuniting with Emery could provide the consistent game time and tactical understanding he needs to rediscover his best form.
Meanwhile, Villa would gain a dynamic winger capable of unlocking defences and adding depth to their attack.
The proposed swap deal involving Jaden Philogene, valued at £15 million, could also sweeten the deal for Milan.
With Chukwueze’s potential yet untapped in Serie A, this could be an opportunity for both clubs and the player to achieve their respective goals.
