Pioli Explains Preference for Pulisic over Chukwueze in AC Milan Starting Lineup

In a recent interview, AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli sheds light on his decision to consistently favor Christian Pulisic over Samuel Chukwueze in the starting lineup, despite calls for the Nigerian forward to see more playing time.

Pioli attributes Pulisic's indispensability to the team to his stellar performances throughout the season, emphasizing the difficulty in dropping the American winger. Pulisic's impressive stats, including 13 goals across all competitions, underscore Pioli's confidence in his abilities.

Addressing concerns about Chukwueze's limited opportunities, Pioli rationalizes his decision by prioritizing the team's tactical setup, opting not to sacrifice an extra midfielder for four attacking players, where Chukwueze would typically slot in.

While Pulisic flourishes with 40 starts in 46 appearances, Chukwueze finds himself starting in only 13 out of 48 games. Despite this, Chukwueze remains determined, recently netting his first Serie A goal and expressing his commitment to contributing more to the team.

Chukwueze's positive attitude reflects his readiness to seize opportunities and fulfill expectations, as he aims to make a more significant impact in his second season with Milan.

The Nigerian forward's €20 million transfer to Milan in 2023 marked him as the club's most expensive signing of the summer, highlighting the high expectations placed upon him to deliver consistent performances in the seasons to come.