Samuel Chukwueze’s AC Milan gamble: 3 reasons Nigeria star could thrive with La Liga return

Samuel Chukwueze is looking to stay at AC Milan despite interest from Turkey after new manager Rúben Amorim confirmed that the Nigeria international is an important part of his plans for the 2026-27 season, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 27-year-old returned to Milan this summer after spending last season on loan at Fulham. The Premier League club chose not to trigger the €24 million option to make the move permanent, leaving Chukwueze to return to the San Siro ahead of pre-season.

His representatives are reportedly exploring the possibility of a return to the Spanish La Liga, where he excelled with Villarreal. Spain is also a possible destination for the 2015 U17 World Cup winner, with Real Betis and Celta Vigo among his admirers. This is because he does not fancy a transfer to Turkey, with the Super Eagles winger having recently rejected Trabzonspor and the club’s €15 million bid.

Still, it is looking likely that Chukwueze could decide to stay in Milan, with Amorim convinced the Nigeria international could be a key part of the project he is building. Speaking during Milan’s pre-season preparations, the Portuguese coach publicly declared his confidence in the winger.

“Chukwu stays with us. We need players who can play one-against-one,” Amorim said.

The Portuguese coach is introducing his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, and Chukwueze has already been used in two different positions during pre-season.

One role places him as an aggressive right-sided wide midfielder, where he must press high, defend more often and help the team without the ball. The other sees him operating as one of the two attacking midfielders behind the striker, allowing him to drift inside onto his stronger left foot and attack defenders from central areas.

The early signs have been encouraging. Chukwueze scored during Milan’s 7-0 training victory over Milan Futuro before producing a superb outside-of-the-boot assist in a pre-season friendly against Celtic.

Still, a return to Spain could be the most natural next step for Chukwueze, especially if Amorim cannot guarantee him a spot in the Milan starting lineup.

Why Chukwueze would thrive in La Liga

Chukwueze enjoyed the best years of his career with Villarreal, where he became one of La Liga’s most exciting dribblers and helped the Yellow Submarine win the 2021 UEFA Europa League. During his spell in Spain, he scored 37 goals and built a reputation for beating defenders with pace, skill and powerful runs from the right wing.

A move back to La Liga would reunite Chukwueze with a league where he already understands the style of football, the pace of matches and the tactical demands.

La Liga still suits Chukwueze’s natural strengths

Even with Amorim’s confidence, Spain remains the league that best matches Chukwueze’s playing style. The Nigerian built his reputation as a traditional winger who stays wide, attacks defenders one-on-one and cuts inside onto his left foot. Those qualities made him a dangerous attacking threat for several seasons.

Amorim’s tactical system asks for something different. As a wide midfielder, Chukwueze must track runners, press opponents aggressively and contribute much more defensively than he did earlier in his career. Learning those responsibilities while fighting for a regular starting place could prove challenging.

A return to La Liga would allow him to play in familiar 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 systems that naturally give creative wingers more freedom in attack.

Regular football could be easier to find in Spain

Another challenge facing Chukwueze is competition for places. Milan boast several attacking stars, including Christian Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Rafael Leão, meaning every forward position will be heavily contested throughout the Serie A campaign.

Although Pulisic’s recent injury has created opportunities during pre-season, there is no guarantee Chukwueze will become a regular starter once everyone returns to full fitness.

At Real Betis or Celta Vigo, the situation could be very different. Both clubs have been looking for direct, creative attackers capable of making an immediate impact in the starting lineup. Instead of competing to become an option off the bench, Chukwueze would likely arrive as one of the team’s main attacking players.

Spain remains the best place to rebuild confidence

Chukwueze has struggled to reproduce the form that made him one of Africa’s brightest young talents before leaving Villarreal. His first spell at Milan brought inconsistent performances, while his loan at Fulham also failed to provide the fresh start he had hoped for after the English club declined to sign him permanently.

Spain represents the environment where he has already proved he can succeed. He understands the football culture, has a strong reputation among La Liga supporters and knows how to influence matches against Spanish defenders.

At the moment, though, Chukwueze’s future lies in Milan. With Amorim publicly backing him and introducing a new tactical system designed to make better use of his pace and dribbling ability, the Super Eagles winger believes he can revive his career at the San Siro rather than returning to the league where he first became a star.