After returning from his Fulham loan, the Super Eagles winger has quickly given Milan supporters reason to believe in his revival.
Samuel Chukwueze has given AC Milan fans an early glimpse of what could be a productive new chapter under Ruben Amorim after the Nigerian delivered an impressive performance in an unfamiliar wing-back role during Milan’s 2–1 victory over Torino.
Chukwueze started on the right side of Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation as Milan opened their 2026/27 Serie A campaign with an away win at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday.
The Super Eagles winger was a constant attacking outlet and also showed the defensive commitment required by his new position.
His performance earned him the Panini Player of the Match award from Lega Serie A, underlining the impact he made in his first competitive league appearance of the new campaign.
Chukwueze provides decisive assist
The Nigerian’s biggest contribution came in the second half when he delivered the cross that allowed Adrien Rabiot to put Milan 2–0 ahead.
Alphadjo Cissè had opened the scoring in the 64th minute before Rabiot doubled Milan’s advantage two minutes later, finishing Chukwueze’s cross at the far post.
Torino eventually pulled a goal back through Che Adams deep into stoppage time, but Milan held on for all three points.
AC Milan’s official match report highlighted the involvement of Chukwueze and fellow wing-back Pervis Estupiñán, noting that both players contributed effectively in attack and defence.
The result also marked a winning start to Amorim’s first competitive match as Milan head coach.
Amorim trusts Chukwueze with a new responsibility
The biggest talking point surrounding Chukwueze before the season was not his ability to attack but whether he could adapt to the demanding responsibilities of a wing-back.
The 27-year-old has spent most of his career as an attacking winger, including during his time with Villarreal and Milan. His move into a deeper role therefore represents a significant tactical change.
Amorim, however, had already indicated before the Torino fixture that he believed Chukwueze could handle the demands of the position.
The Portuguese coach acknowledged that the Nigerian is not traditionally viewed as a defensive player but explained that Milan’s approach would require the team to defend with possession and that Chukwueze had demonstrated his ability to contribute in that phase.
That faith was rewarded in Turin.
Chukwueze was involved from the opening stages, with his deliveries from the right creating problems for Torino. AC Milan’s official report also noted a first-half opportunity in which he went close following individual play.
A fresh opportunity after Fulham loan
The strong start is particularly significant for Chukwueze because he returned to Milan after spending last season on loan at Fulham.
His future at the Italian club had been the subject of uncertainty, but Amorim’s arrival has provided the Nigerian with another opportunity to establish himself at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Chukwueze previously told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he viewed his return to Milan as an opportunity he needed to take seriously, while acknowledging that playing in a wide defensive role was new territory for him.
The Nigerian also explained that he was willing to adapt to what his coach wanted because the manager understood the requirements of the system.
That willingness to adjust could prove important as the season progresses.
Chukwueze’s new role could unlock another dimension
The early evidence suggests that Amorim is looking to get the best out of Chukwueze by giving him more freedom to attack from a deeper starting position.
Rather than receiving the ball exclusively in advanced areas, the wing-back role allows the Nigerian to build momentum from deeper positions before attacking the final third.
His pace and ability to beat defenders can become particularly dangerous when Milan transition quickly into attack.
The Torino match provided an early example.
Chukwueze was able to combine his traditional attacking qualities with the discipline required to cover the right side of Milan’s formation.
Lega Serie A described him as Milan’s standout performer during the first half, while the league’s official awards listing subsequently confirmed him as the Panini Player of the Match.
Chukwueze has made his intentions clear
For a player looking to rebuild his reputation at Milan, the timing could hardly be better.
His assist against Torino was not only decisive; it also demonstrated why Amorim is prepared to trust him in an unconventional position.
Milan’s own statistics show that Chukwueze has now been involved in three Serie A goals — all assists across his last four league appearances, matching the number of goal contributions he recorded across his previous 25 Serie A matches.
That statistic provides another reason for optimism around the Nigerian.
There is, of course, a long season ahead and one impressive performance cannot guarantee a permanent starting position. But if Chukwueze can maintain the intensity, defensive discipline and attacking threat he showed against Torino, Amorim may have found an effective solution on Milan’s right flank.
For Samuel Chukwueze, the message from the opening weekend is clear: his second chance at AC Milan has started with a performance that demands attention.