In a fiery pre-Atalanta press conference, AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli didn't hold back when addressing the underwhelming performance of Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze.
With Christian Pulisic shining on the right flank, Pioli minced no words, challenging Chukwueze to elevate his game or face the consequences.
Since his much-anticipated arrival from Villarreal last summer, Chukwueze has failed to deliver the goods at the San Siro.
Despite his undeniable talent, the 24-year-old has struggled to find the back of the net or provide crucial assists, a stark contrast to Pulisic's impressive tally of eight goals and seven assists in all competitions for Milan.
Chukwueze needs to step up, or else…
The message sent out was clear: there's no room for mediocrity at AC Milan, especially with fierce competition for starting spots heating up.
“Pulisic and Chukwueze have the same characteristics,” Pioli declared, his voice cutting through the tension in the press room.
“Pulisic scores goals, assists, and works. Chukwueze needs to step up. He needs to score goals, he needs to get assists, and he needs to work.”
Once hailed as a rising star, he now finds himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, his lacklustre performances casting doubt on his future with the Rossoneri.
Pioli's comparison of Chukwueze to Pulisic, the dynamic American winger who has taken Serie A by storm since his arrival, only served to highlight the Nigerian's shortcomings.
While Pulisic has seamlessly integrated into Milan's system, the Nigerian as struggled to make an impact, leaving fans and pundits alike scratching their heads in frustration.
Chukwueze's numbers at San Siro
The statistics speak for themselves: in 15 league appearances, Chukwueze has yet to find the back of the net, a disappointing statistic for a player of his calibre.
In contrast, Pulisic's goal-scoring prowess has been instrumental in Milan's success this season, with his flair and creativity lighting up the pitch week in and week out.
Despite flashes of brilliance in the UEFA Champions League, where Super Eagles winger has managed to score twice and provide one assist, his domestic form leaves much to be desired.
With crucial fixtures on the horizon, including a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Inter Milan, Pioli can ill afford to carry passengers in his squad.
As Chukwueze watched from the sidelines as an unused substitute in Milan's recent 1-1 draw against Atalanta, the writing seemed to be on the wall for the Nigerian international.
With Pulisic stealing the limelight and Chukwueze failing to make an impact, questions loom large over his future at the club.
For Pioli, it's a matter of tough love. As long as he continues to push his players to reach their full potential, there's no room for excuses or second chances. Chukwueze has been issued a challenge: either rise to the occasion or risk being left behind as Milan marches on without him.
How much is Chukwueze's weekly salary?
Chukwueze’s net salary is, however, estimated to be around €5 million per year. This translates as just over €104,000 per week for the skillfull Nigerian winger.
The Milan star’s weekly earnings make him one of the highest-paid Nigerian footballers at the moment, with only Victor Osimhen ($20 million) and Alex Iwobi ($7.5 million) currently earning more than him.
Chukwueze is also reported to earn around €800,000 annually through off-field endorsements and sponsorships.
He was already earning a decent salary at Villarreal but his move to AC Milan has greased his pockets further after putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Rossoneri.
His salary, when converted to Naira, the official currency in Nigeria, is over six billion naira. His gross salary of €6.5 million per year translates to N6,443,322,288.
