Key Samuel Chukwueze decision could earn him another Milan start vs Sassuolo

Samuel Chukwueze has handed Ruben Amorim an important selection boost after returning to AC Milan earlier than expected from Nigeria duty.

The Super Eagles star’s decision to make an early return to Milan could potentially strengthen his case to start against Sassuolo on Sunday.

Chukwueze completed his Super Eagles commitments before Nigeria’s October 6 friendly against Russia and was back in Milan training while several international teammates were still away. Reports from Italy suggests that Amorim had given returning internationals a day off, but Chukwueze had already resumed work with the group in smaller numbers.

That extra work could prove significant when Amorim chooses between Chukwueze and Diego Moreira for the right-sided role at the Mapei Stadium.

Samuel Chukwueze has been one of Milan’s most trusted attacking outlets at the start of the campaign. He has appeared in all five Serie A matches, starting four, and has supplied two assists in 386 league minutes. He also completed 90 minutes against Benfica in the Europa League.

Samuel Chukwueze’s season so far

Samuel Chukwueze began the campaign on August 23 at Torino, playing the full 90 minutes as Milan opened their Serie A campaign with a 2-1 victory. The Nigeria winger provided an assist in that encounter in Turin, immediately giving Amorim a reason to trust him from the outset.

Six days later, he again played 90 minutes as Milan defeated Venezia 2-0 at San Siro. There was no goal or assist, but his presence on the right gave Milan another route into the final third.

At Juventus on September 6, Chukwueze started on the bench before entering in the 61st minute. He played the final 30 minutes of the 1-1 draw, one of the few occasions this season when Moreira was preferred from the start.

Chukwueze was restored to the starting XI against Lazio on September 12 and completed all 90 minutes of the 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico. He then started Milan’s Europa League opener against Benfica four days later.

That European night ended in a 2-0 defeat, but Chukwueze played the entire match and repeatedly threatened Benfica from the right.

Chukwueze then started the final Milan game before the international break, playing 86 minutes in the 3-0 victory over Lecce on September 20. That result left him with two assists from five Serie A appearances.

His Nigeria involvement followed shortly after. Chukwueze started the 2027 AFCON qualifier against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on September 25 and played 60 minutes. Moses Usor replaced him in the 61st minute before scoring Nigeria’s winning goal four minutes later.

Five days later, Chukwueze was an unused substitute as Nigeria suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro.

He was subsequently not included in the Super Eagles’ October 6 friendly against Russia. That allowed the former Villarreal star to return to Milan ahead of the rest of the international contingent, per Sassuolo News. Sunday’s trip to Sassuolo may therefore offer Chukwueze another opportunity to continue his excellent performance in the 2026-27 season.