Despite a slow start in Italy, AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has defended Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze and believes he will shine for the club.
Chukwueze, who arrived from Villarreal last summer, finally opened his Serie A account on Sunday, scoring in a 3-1 win over Hellas Verona. It was his first league goal in 17 appearances.
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Following his impressive form in Spain, fans and pundits expected Chukwueze to make an immediate impact. However, his struggles led to criticism, with some labeling him a disappointment.
Pioli, however, insists Chukwueze deserves patience. “He’s adapting to a demanding league with different challenges than La Liga,” Pioli told DAZN.
The manager praised Chukwueze’s work ethic: “He’s putting in a lot of effort in training and wants to succeed.”
Pioli criticized the hasty judgments: “We need to be patient with players coming from different environments. They need time to adjust to a new style of play, lifestyle, and training methods.”
Pioli expressed his satisfaction with the goal and Chukwueze’s performance when called upon. He reiterated the team’s belief in the player and their commitment to waiting for all players to adapt.
Chukwueze’s goal came just five minutes after replacing Noah Okafor in the 74th minute.
