AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli challenges Chukwueze to raise his standards

After spending six years with the Villareal setup in Spain, Chukwueze moved to A.C. Milan last summer in a deal worth up to twenty-eight million euros.

A.C. Milan head coach, Stefano Pioli, has urged Super Eagles right-winger, Samuel Chukwueze to raise his standards and be more decisive in the final third, Soccernet.ng reports.

Chukwueze, 24, joined the seven-time UEFA Champions League winners last summer after spending six years with Villareal in the Spanish La Liga.

In his time with the Yellow Submarines, Chukwueze won the UEFA Europa League in 2021 as they defeated Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Manchester United on penalties.

He was also involved in 68 goals for the La Liga side but hasn’t been able to replicate the form for his new side so far, scoring just two goals in twenty-one outings.

The fleet-footed winger was on the bench throughout as the Rossoneri drew 1-1 against Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta, and the Milan coach explained why Chukwueze didn’t feature.

Former Borussia Dortmund man, Christian Pulisic is Chukwueze’s rival for the starting spot on the right wing, and with the American in top form, Pioli has demanded more from the Super Eagles winger if he wants to be a starter at the club.

“Pulisic and Chukwueze have the same characteristics, they’re similar players and play the same positions. Pulisic scores goals, gets assists and creates chances. He works, and Chukwueze has to do the same. He has to score goals, to get assists, and has to work,” the former Lazio manager told the official club website.

In comparison to Samuel Chukwueze, Christian Pulisic has scored eight goals for Milan in all competitions this season, alongside creating another seven.