Super Eagles of Nigeria winger, Samuel Chukwueze, has reserved praise for his AC Milan head coach, Ruben Amorim, following the team’s victory over Manchester United in a pre-season friendly match.
The 27-year-old was effusive in his praise of the Portuguese tactician who joined Milan in June after a disastrous 14-month tenure at Manchester United that saw the former Sporting Lisbon coach sacked in January.
Amorim is famed for his stubborn and unyielding tactical choice, sticking to his 3-4-3 formation until his sack at Old Trafford.
The 49-year-old has continued with the tactical set-up in AC Milan and after a disastrous start to pre-season, his team produced their best performance to date with a 4-2 win over Michael Carrick’s Man United.
Chukwueze joined AC Milan for €21.1 million in 2023 but spent last season on loan at Fulham following an underwhelming first stint in Italy.
The winger has however returned to the former Italian champions, and was at the centre of the team’s victory over Man United with a goal and two assists respectively.
Chukwueze called the tactician a good coach, and stated his intention to make the best of the opportunity Amorim gives him despite playing from a wingback position.
“Yes, he’s a good coach,” Chukwueze started. “He trusts me and has given me an opportunity. Now it’s up to me to take it.
“He simply showed faith in me, and I think I need to make the most of it. I can’t waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – to return to Milan after the loan spell.”
The dribbling maestro further revealed his intention to adapt to his new wingback role under Amorim and has backed himself to do that which the coach requests of him to stay in the team.
“Yes, even though it’s a position I need to adapt to because I’ve never played in this role in my career.
“As a footballer, if a coach wants you to play in a certain position, you have to do it by believing in yourself and in the coach, because he knows what he wants.
“So, I just need to keep committing, believing in myself and that I can do it. For me, it’s an opportunity I have to seize. I know it’s a difficult task, but I believe in myself. I know I can do it, I can do anything.”
Chukwueze could feature from the start for AC Milan in their Italian Serie A season opener away at Torino on August 23.
