AC Milan to give Samuel Chukwueze permanent starting point ahead of Christian Pulisic

Despite the USMNT star’s incredible 2023–24 campaign, AC Milan has been instructed to bench Christian Pulisic in favour of Samuel Chukwueze starting in the upcoming season. Since leaving Chelsea for Milan in the summer, Pulisic has been lights out, playing at a level he never saw during his four years at Stamford Bridge.

However, some in Italy remain sceptical despite the outstanding exploits of the American front. Sensationalizingly, pundit Sandro Sabatini stated that Nigerian winger Chukwueze ought to start ahead of the American player in the upcoming season since he is a “technical player” with outstanding “quality”.

Speaking to Radiorossonera, the Italian pundit said: “For me Chukwueze has quality, he is a technical player who I like a lot. For next season I would prefer him to Pulisic as a prospect, in my opinion he is a guy who has some numbers. I know I’m saying something unpopular and I don’t argue about the €28 million [£24m/$30m paid for Chukwueze to Villarreal last summer] because then you have to make comparisons.”

Sabatini passed comments after he saw Chukwueze put in two impressive performances against Hellas Verona and Fiorentina in Milan’s last two league outings. However, that goal against Verona remains his only effort in the league and one of four goal contributions across all competitions (3G, 1A) in his debut season. Pulisic’s start in Italy has, by comparison, gone far better, as he has racked up a career best 20 goal contributions (12G, 8A). The American’s father recently put his success down to the “trust” of his team-mates and head coach Stefano Pioli, following four forgettable seasons at Chelsea.

Despite his own individual efforts, Pulisic has been helpless to improve Milan’s league standing. They remain second behind rivals Inter, who have the Serie A title all-but wrapped up thanks to their 14-point advantage. Piolo’s side do have Europa League glory to play for, though, with their quarter-final first leg against Italian rivals Roma taking place next Thursday.