Samuel Chukwueze rejects Trabzonspor to remain at AC Milan

Former Fulham loanee Samuel Chukwueze has turned down a move to Turkish club Trabzonspor, opting to stay at AC Milan for the remainder of the season. The Nigerian winger's future remains uncertain after Fulham decided against making his loan spell permanent.

Fulham's decision and Chukwueze's options

Fulham had the option to sign Chukwueze permanently following his loan stint at Craven Cottage, but the west London club chose not to trigger the clause. The 25-year-old returned to AC Milan in the summer, where he is under contract until 2026. Despite interest from Trabzonspor, Chukwueze has rejected the Turkish Super Lig side, preferring to fight for his place at the San Siro.

Chukwueze joined Milan from Villarreal in July 2023 for a reported €20 million. In his first season at the club, he made 24 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists. His playing time under manager Stefano Pioli was limited to just 523 minutes in Serie A, with most appearances coming from the bench.

Impact on AC Milan's squad

Chukwueze's decision to stay gives Milan additional depth in wide attacking positions. He operates primarily as a right winger but can also play on the left. With the club competing in Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League, squad rotation is essential. However, he faces stiff competition from Christian Pulisic, Rafael LeΓ£o, and Samuel Chukwueze's compatriot Noah Okafor.

Milan's new head coach Paulo Fonseca has emphasised a high-pressing, possession-based style. Chukwueze's pace and dribbling ability could be useful in transition, but he must improve his consistency to earn regular starts. In pre-season friendlies, he has shown flashes of the form that made him a star at Villarreal.

Statistical context and fantasy implications

Chukwueze registered 0.28 goals and 0.24 assists per 90 minutes in Serie A last season, which is below elite winger output. His expected goals (xG) per 90 was 0.18, and expected assists (xA) per 90 was 0.15, indicating room for improvement in chance creation. He averaged 1.2 successful dribbles per game with a 52% success rate.

For fantasy Premier League managers, Chukwueze is not currently in the Premier League, so no direct FPL impact. However, his market value on Transfermarkt has dropped from €15 million to €12 million due to limited game time. If he finds form at Milan, he could attract interest from other European clubs in January.

What's next for Chukwueze?

Chukwueze must now prove his worth to Fonseca in training and cup matches. The Serie A season runs until May 2025, giving him time to force his way into the starting XI. If his situation does not improve by the winter transfer window, a move to clubs in Spain or Germany could become more likely.

For Fulham, they have moved on to other targets after deciding against a permanent deal. Marco Silva's side have already signed winger Alex Iwobi permanently and added other attacking options. Chukwueze's rejection of Trabzonspor suggests he is determined to succeed at the highest level, but his future at Milan remains precarious without a clear path to regular football.

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