AC Milan sweat over fitness of Super Eagles star Chukwueze ahead of Serie A opener

AC Milan are preparing to open their Serie A campaign against Cremonese at San Siro on Saturday evening, but Massimiliano Allegri faces selection concerns in attack with Rafael Leão ruled out and Samuel Chukwueze a  doubt.

Leão sustained a calf injury in the Rossoneri’s Coppa Italia clash with Bari last weekend, forcing him onto the sidelines.

While initial assessments suggest the Portuguese forward could return for the upcoming trip to Lecce, Milan will have to do without him for their league opener. 

In his absence, Allegri is set to start Santiago Giménez alongside Christian Pulisic in the frontline.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport via Milan News, the situation is further complicated by uncertainty over Chukwueze, who is nursing a minor muscle problem. 

Though the issue is not considered serious, the Nigerian winger faces a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s fixture. 

Allegri is keen to have him available, as his absence would leave Milan without a natural alternative on the bench to alter the attacking setup during the game.

Chukwueze’s situation also carries potential transfer implications. The 26-year-old, who joined Milan from Villarreal in 2023, was close to sealing a switch to Fulham during the January transfer window before negotiations broke down.

The Premier League side are monitoring his current fitness status closely as they continue to weigh attacking reinforcements before the summer market closes.

Wale Adejumo

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