Samuel Chukwueze credits Paulo Fonseca for improvement at AC Milan

Samuel Chukwueze credits Paulo Fonseca for improvement at AC Milan

Samuel Chukwueze's resurgence at AC Milan has been one of the standout stories of pre-season, and it appears that a crucial conversation with new coach Paulo Fonseca was the catalyst.

The Nigerian winger, who joined Milan from Villarreal last summer, had struggled to find consistent form during his initial season at the San Siro.

Chukwueze's early days at Milan were marked by inconsistency, with flashes of brilliance overshadowed by long spells of underperformance.

Limited playing time under former coach Stefano Pioli didn't help his cause, and the 25-year-old forward appeared to be on a downward trajectory.

However, Fonseca's arrival at Milan this summer has sparked a remarkable turnaround.

In pre-season, Chukwueze looked like a player reborn, delivering one goal and two assists in just four games. This newfound form can be traced back to a pivotal conversation with Fonseca, where the Portuguese manager laid down clear expectations for his player.

"Coach Fonseca told me, 'Samuel, I don't want to see the Chukwueze from last year. I want the one from Villarreal'.

"And I said, 'Okay, no problem.' It's like I've been reborn, I'm a new player," Chukwueze shared in an interview with La Gazzetta.

As Milan prepare to kick off their Serie A campaign against Torino on August 17, all eyes will be on Chukwueze, who is eager to carry his pre-season form into the new season and make a significant impact for the Rossoneri.

READ MORE: Pedri backs Dani Olmo's arrival at FC Barcelona