La Gazzetta dello Sport notes that Julen Lopetegui, the most likely candidate to replace Stefano Pioli next season, can revive Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor, two 2023 summer signings who have had highs and lows in their first season at the club.
La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Marco Fallisi argued that two disappointing summer signings, Okafor and Chukwueze, will have a chance to get a fresh start at Milan if the Rossoneri appoint Lopetegui as their next coach.
Lopetegui is seen as Milan’s leading candidate to replace Pioli next season and according to Gazzetta, the Spaniard has already informed West Ham, another club interested in his services, that he wants to coach the Rossoneri in 2024-25.
Fallisi noted that Lopetegui strongly relies on attacking wingers, so Chukwueze could play a key role at San Siro next season. It should not be underestimated that the Nigeria international played for Villarreal before joining Milan for €20m last summer, so the cultural proximity to Lopetegui could be a plus for the 24-year-old who managed just three goals and two assists in 31 appearances this season.
The same goes for Okafor who, according to Gazzetta, would be used as a central forward if Lopetegui moves to San Siro at the end of the season. The Swiss international netted six times in 33 appearances under Pioli this season, and Fallisi noted that Lopetegui has often used systems with a false nine in his career, and Okafor fits the description.
As per Gazzetta, Pierre Kalulu will be deployed as a right-back under Lopetegui, while Reijnders will play as a box-to-box midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation if the Spanish tactician gets the job.