Chukwueze vs Milan’s wing-back options: Where does Super Eagles star stand?

Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze has started the new season in a role that looked unlikely a few months ago, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Nigeria international was used as AC Milan’s right wing-back in Rúben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system during Sunday’s 2-1 win at Torino on the opening weekend of the 2026-27 campaign.

It was a strong first step. Chukwueze played the full match and created Milan’s winning goal in the 66th minute. His left-footed cross found Adrien Rabiot at the far post, giving Milan a 2-0 lead. Chukwueze, who spent last season on loan at Fulham, has now provided three assists in his last four Serie A matches.

On the back of his man-of-the-match display against Torino, Chukwueze has vowed to continue to impress Amorim and be the first-choice right wing-back. That performance gives him an early advantage in his new role, but the position is not his alone.

Chukwueze vs Saelemaekers; attacking edge against defensive security

Traditionally, Chukwueze is a right winger, not a defender. The 27-year-old is left-footed, 1.72 metres tall with his natural game built around speed, dribbling and attacking defenders.

Those qualities fit Amorim’s demand for width. Chukwueze can receive the ball wide, run at a full-back and deliver crosses with his stronger left foot. His display against Manchester United in mid-August offered an even clearer example. He scored Milan’s first goal in the 4-2 win, then assisted Alphadjo Cissè and Gonçalo Ramos.

The question is what happens when Milan do not have the ball. Alexis Saelemaekers is the more natural wing-back option. The Belgian spent much of the 2025-26 Serie A season in that role and played 35 league matches, with 33 starts, 3 goals and 3 assists.

That gives Saelemaekers a clear advantage in defensive habits and positional discipline. He has already proved that he can handle the repeated running needed from a wing-back.

However, Chukwueze offers more explosive attacking movement. Saelemaekers offers a safer balance between attack and defence. Amorim will have to decide which quality matters most in each game.

Yunus Musah is another possible solution, although his profile is different. The 23-year-old is often deployed as central midfielder in Milan’s current squad. He has also played as a wide player during his career, but his main value is his pace, ball carrying and ability to cover ground rather than his final ball.

Zachary Athekame would have been another defensive option, but Milan sent the Swiss right-back to Lyon on loan last week. That move reduces the number of specialist right-sided defenders available to Amorim. Christian Pulisic can also play on the right, but his main role is further forward.

That leaves Chukwueze with a real opportunity. His start against Torino matters because Amorim did not simply use him there in a friendly. He trusted him in Milan’s first Serie A match of the season. Chukwueze responded with 90 minutes, an assist and a performance that helped Milan leave Turin with three points.

The early pecking order therefore looks clear: Saelemaekers is the more proven wing-back, but Chukwueze currently has the attacking momentum.

If Chukwueze improves his defensive positioning and keeps producing goals and assists, Amorim could have a difficult decision on his hands. The Nigerian has already shown that he can give Milan something Saelemaekers cannot match as easily, which is direct attacking threat from deep.