Samuel Chukwueze: 2 reasons Amorim must heed AC Milan legend’s warning

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has enjoyed a promising start to life under Rúben Amorim at AC Milan, but Rossoneri legend Mauro Tassotti has identified a tactical problem the Portuguese coach must solve.

The 27-year-old returned to Milan this summer after a loan spell at Fulham, where he rediscovered some of the confidence that had deserted him during his first spell in Italy.

Amorim has since handed the Nigerian a completely different role, deploying him as a right wing-back in his 3-4-2-1 system rather than using him further forward as a winger.

The experiment has produced results, with Chukwueze providing the assist for Adrien Rabiot in Milan’s 2-1 win at Torino, taking home the player of the match award.

The Super Eagles star has started four of Milan’s first five Serie A matches and registered two assists, while his performances have earned praise from Amorim and renewed belief that he can play an important role at San Siro.

However, Tassotti believes there is a potential weakness that cannot be ignored.

Samuel Chukwueze: 2 warnings Amorim must heed

1. Chukwueze’s attacking freedom can leave Milan exposed

Tassotti, who spent 17 seasons at Milan and played almost 600 games for the Rossoneri, believes Amorim needs to find the right balance between exploiting Chukwueze’s attacking qualities and protecting the defence.

The former Italy international was quizzed about Chukwueze’s adaptation to the wing-back role and acknowledged that the Nigerian has produced some positive moments, but he also noticed something concerning.

“This is the first year that Chukwueze has been playing on the wing,” Tassotti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’ve seen him do good things, and some less so, with Milan finding themselves unbalanced in some dangerous situations.”

That warning matters because Chukwueze’s attacking strengths are the main qualities Amorim wants to exploit.

The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner is quick and comfortable taking on defenders. Giving him freedom from a deeper position allows him to receive the ball earlier and attack space, but it also means Milan must compensate when he moves forward.

Afrik-Foot previously examined how Chukwueze’s attacking qualities could give him an advantage over more defensive-minded options like Alexis Saelemaekers in the right wing-back position.

The problem is not necessarily Chukwueze playing there; it is ensuring Milan are not exposed when his attacking instincts take over.

2. Amorim has a solution, and must keep using it

Interestingly, Amorim appears to have recognised the same problem. During Milan’s 3-0 victory over Lecce, the former Manchester United coach adjusted his structure by moving Mario Gila into a right-back position during possession.

That allowed Gila to provide additional defensive cover behind Chukwueze and gave the Nigerian greater freedom to attack.

The adjustment was a deliberate attempt to bring out the best in Chukwueze, and it worked.

Rather than asking Chukwueze to stay back, Amorim effectively created conditions where the Nigerian could perform his attacking responsibilities without leaving the team as vulnerable.

That may be the biggest lesson from Tassotti’s warning. Amorim does not necessarily need to abandon Chukwueze’s new role. Instead, Milan needs enough protection behind him to ensure his attacking freedom does not create the imbalance Tassotti has identified.

The Nigerian has credited the coach’s trust and regular playing time for restoring his confidence, saying that “the confidence is back” after a difficult previous season.