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| Samuel Chukwueze |
AC Milan’s attacking options on the right flank have taken another significant hit. Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze is expected to be sidelined for at least two months with a left hip injury, according to multiple Italian reports citing specialist assessments and club updates.
The 27-year-old (born May 22, 1999) felt discomfort after Milan’s hard-fought 3-2 Serie A victory over Atalanta on October 18 and subsequently missed training at Milanello ahead of the UEFA Europa League trip to Bournemouth.
Chukwueze has already undergone a specialist consultation. Reports from Corriere della Sera (via MilanNews and other outlets) and subsequent club medical updates confirm he has begun a course of infiltrative (injection) treatment. A further assessment is scheduled in 10 to 15 days to evaluate progress and determine whether additional intervention is required.
Italian journalist Peppe Di Stefano, reporting from Bournemouth, indicated a concrete risk of at least two months out. Tuttosport and other sources have echoed the same timeframe, noting that a return by the end of the year remains the optimistic target.
This is not a sudden, isolated niggle. Some reports note that Chukwueze had experienced mild fatigue or related discomfort earlier in the campaign, including around the Europa League trip to RB Salzburg, though he was still able to feature regularly. The problem intensified after the Atalanta match, where he played 53 minutes before being substituted.
He has made eight appearances across all competitions this season (primarily as a starter under Ruben Amorim), contributing two assists—against Torino and Juventus—while showing the direct running, dribbling, and creativity that first made him a standout at Villarreal.
Background: From Villarreal Standout to Milan Squad Player and Loan Spell
Chukwueze joined AC Milan from Villarreal in the summer of 2023 on a long-term deal (contract running to June 2028). At Villarreal he had established himself as a dynamic right-sided attacker capable of producing goals and assists in La Liga and European competition.
His early Milan years were mixed: flashes of quality mixed with inconsistency and injury interruptions. A loan spell at Fulham in the Premier League (2025/26) offered regular minutes and a different tactical environment. He returned to Milan for the current campaign and appeared to be settling into Amorim’s system as a regular option on the right, especially with limited depth available.
His injury history includes a previous significant hip issue in 2021 that kept him out for roughly five months, along with more recent muscle and calf problems. Soft-tissue and hip-related issues have recurred periodically, which makes the current diagnosis and cautious treatment approach unsurprising to those who have followed his career closely.
Squad Impact at Milan Under Ruben Amorim
The timing is particularly awkward for Amorim. Fellow right-sided option Alexis Saelemaekers is already facing a lengthy absence after ankle surgery (expected to miss several months, potentially into 2027 in some reports). Defender Matteo Gabbia is also dealing with a significant thigh/flexor issue.
Forward Gonçalo Ramos experienced calf fatigue around the same time but received more reassuring news after an MRI ruled out structural damage. The right flank therefore becomes thin, forcing Amorim to look at alternatives such as Omari Hutchinson, younger squad players, or tactical adjustments involving players like Christian Pulisic shifting wider or midfielders filling in.
Milan’s Europa League campaign has already shown vulnerability. Without Chukwueze (and with other absences), the side suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth on October 22, reduced to 10 men after goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off. The Cherries scored twice from the penalty spot and added a late free-kick.
That result underscored the need for depth and consistency in attack as Milan balance Serie A ambitions with European fixtures against sides such as Udinese, Bologna, Inter, Ferencváros, and Genoa in the coming weeks.
A two-month absence would likely rule Chukwueze out of a significant run of matches—potentially 10 or more club games depending on the exact recovery—and raise questions about January window options. Some Italian coverage has already floated the possibility of recalling or reinforcing the wing positions if the layoff extends.
Implications for Nigeria’s Super Eagles
For the Super Eagles, the injury arrives at a delicate moment in the international calendar. Depending on the precise length of the absence, Chukwueze could miss upcoming AFCON qualifying fixtures (reports have mentioned potential clashes with Tanzania in mid-November).
Nigeria rely on his pace and ability to stretch defenses from the right. An extended absence would force coach and staff to explore other wide options and potentially accelerate the integration of younger or alternative attackers.
Long-term, consistent availability at club level remains the best route for Chukwueze to reclaim a central role in the national team setup.
Broader Context and Outlook
Hip injuries in footballers can be stubborn. The combination of specialist input, infiltrative treatment, and a planned re-evaluation in 10–15 days suggests Milan are prioritizing a full recovery over a rushed return that could lead to setbacks. Players with similar profiles often need careful load management once they return, especially given Chukwueze’s previous soft-tissue issues.
From a performance standpoint, the early-season sample under Amorim showed promise: regular starts, creative contributions, and defensive work rate that fit a high-pressing or structured system. The challenge now is ensuring that when he does return—hopefully before the new year—he can build on that foundation without the stop-start interruptions that have marked parts of his Milan career.
Milan will monitor the situation closely over the next fortnight. Further medical updates after the reassessment will provide clearer timelines. In the meantime, Amorim must navigate a congested schedule with reduced options on the right, while Nigerian fans and Super Eagles staff will hope the recovery stays on the more optimistic end of current projections.
Chukwueze’s career has already demonstrated resilience through earlier long layoffs and a successful loan abroad. This latest setback is a reminder of the physical demands of elite football, particularly for explosive wide players.
How he and Milan manage the rehabilitation will determine whether this becomes a short-term interruption or a more disruptive chapter in what remains a career with considerable upside.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers Global, News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Politics and Technology.
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