Serie A: 252 Minutes Without a Goal! Nkunku Fails to Meet Expectations at Milan, Struggles for Starting Spot

November 11 – According to a report by Luca Bianchin, AC Milan correspondent for Italian newspaper *Corriere dello Sera*, the French forward Christopher Nkunku, who joined Milan from Chelsea this summer, has yet to deliver on expectations.  

*Corriere dello Sera* notes that the transfer fee of €37 million plus add-ons naturally came with high expectations from both the club’s management and fans. For a club that typically adheres to a cautious transfer strategy like AC Milan, the investment in Nkunku even surpassed the amount spent to sign Mexican forward Santiago Giménez in January last year.  

The club intended for Nkunku to become a game-changing attacking force, capable of igniting sparks in a system that emphasizes quick counter-attacks and individual creativity. However, his performances so far have fallen short of expectations. But is the investment overvalued? It’s only early November, and Nkunku remains a top-tier player. Between 2021 and 2023, he scored 36 goals in the Bundesliga. As a French international capable of playing multiple attacking roles, his potential contribution to the Rossoneri is undeniable. The real question is: Can he become a decisive match-winner? Can he secure a starting position?  

Historical trends suggest that Nkunku thrives with a coach’s trust, but manager Massimiliano Allegri is unlikely to field three attacking players simultaneously. This creates a straightforward equation: Portuguese forward Rafael Leão has secured one of the spots in recent matches – as long as he is available, he starts. Giménez, plagued by poor form and injuries, is no longer in contention. That leaves Nkunku and Christian Pulisic competing for the remaining starting role, both in the upcoming derby and beyond.  

However, *Corriere dello Sera* indicates that there is currently a clear frontrunner: Pulisic. Although he missed a clear scoring chance against Parma, the American has demonstrated his familiarity with goal-scoring opportunities. AC Milan has successfully persuaded the U.S. national team not to call him up for the November international break, meaning Pulisic will remain at Milanello for continuous training.  

Source: Corriere dello Sera