1 hour ago
35
The attacking department has not allowed Massimiliano Allegri to rest easy this season so far, for various different reasons.
We start from a premise: going int the 2025-26 season, Allegri had earmarked Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic as the duo that he wanted to spearhead his 3-5-2 system. There wasn’t much argument either generally speaking, given how decisive both are on their day, and the fact they offer different skills.
Unfortunately, due to injuries, Leao and Pulisic have started just three games together this season. The first was in the Coppa Italia against Bari on 17 August, when Leao hurt his calf. The next time was in the 1-0 derby win over Inter on 23 November, and then most recently it was 18 January against Lecce.
The Portuguese and the American not only have a low volume of starts together, but the spacing of them has naturally meant they have been able to build up the kind of chemistry and cohesion that a front two would normally gain through repetition.
Then, there have been other issues too, like Santiago Gimenez trying and failing to play through an ankle injury which then needed surgery, and the fact Niclas Füllkrug arrived on day one of the winter window and broke his toe not long after. Christopher Nkunku didn’t hit the ground running, either.
A perfect symbol of Milan’s issues in attack was in the most recent fixture against Bologna. The starting duo were Nkunku, a man linked with a winter sale, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, naturally a midfielder. Leao and Füllkrug were only fit enough for the bench, while Pulisic and Gimenez were out.
Soon, though, the plan is for everyone to be available. Muscles and bones will heal, with even Gimenez expected back in full training by the end of the month. So, where does that leave the various options in attack?
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic remains Milan’s most consistent and decisive forward. The former Chelsea man is top scorer for the Rossoneri in Serie A so far this season with eight goals despite the time he has missed, and he has looked effective as a second striker in the new two-man attack.
When he is back to 100% – and he rejoined full training on Wednesday – the feeling is that he automatically has one of the spots. His contributions (42 goals and 25 assists in 120 appearances across all competitions) are just too important for him to become an impact substitute.
What is worrying though is the speculation about Pulisic’s future, and the lack of movement on the renewal front. While the forward seems happy at Milan after struggles in the Premier League, those English sirens may start ringing again unless Milan act.
Rafael Leao
It would be fair to describe 2025-26 as a strange season for Leao thus far. Asked to play a more central role under Allegri compared to his usual position on the left, he has racked up seven league goals despite the fact he isn’t at 100% currently and hasn’t been seemingly for some time.
Just like Pulisic, it seems as though the Portuguese has a starting spot locked up when he is fully fit, and he’s getting there now. Allegri sees the Puli-Leao duo as the one he wants to go with, and probably believes the attack has another gear when they get more than one start every two months behind them.
In recent weeks there has been talk of a potential contract renewal for Leao, who last extended during the 2022-23 season, when Milan were on their run to the final four of the Champions League. There has been talk of a mutual desire to continue together, but also the idea that offers might be evaluated.
We can’t imagine Leao in the shirt of another team such is the strength of his bond with the red and black, and also the fact he has done nearly seven years at the club, but could a crossroads of sorts be approaching? Only the coach and the management really know.
Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku’s is the most nebulous situation of the forwards currently in the squad. He was a late summer signing for nearly €40m and there was clearly a punt on the part of Igli Tare and co. that he would get back to his RB Leipzig levels.
As we approached the winter mercato and with Nkunku struggling for form, stories began to build about the possibility that he could be sold by Milan after just a few months. Then, as the speculation grew, his output did too: since Christmas he has five Serie A goals, one every 63 minutes.
Even towards the end of the mercato there was talk of Fenerbahce, Roma, Napoli and Atletico Madrid being offered Nkunku, which Fabrizio Romano claimed left the Frenchman ‘a bit annoyed’. Now, he will aim to keep silencing the noise until the summer.
What does the future hold beyond that? The hope for everyone involved is that he can perhaps double his output (or even better) between now and June. That would surely mean he becomes a player to build around rather than try offload as damaged goods.
With a potential return to European competitions set to increase the volume of games substantially, there is a spot for Nkunku in the squad if he keeps performing, be that as a starting winger (in the case of a formation change) or a back-up second striker, wherever Allegri sees fit.
Niclas Füllkrug
Füllkrug was a signing that Milan lined up in advance of the winter window opening, as they wanted a target man to add some variety to the attack. They agreed a deal with West Ham United on the basis of a loan with an option to buy, and he made his debut on the day the mercato officially opened.
So far, the German has had a largely positive impact. He has been exclusively a striker to turn to off the bench, often to try see out a result or to try breach a low block. A broken toe has not halted him either, as he continues to play through the pain.
Ultimately, the situation for Füllkrug is quite simple: he has 15 games to provide enough of a contribution to prove to Milan that he is worth buying permanently for €5m. It is a low sum, but there are other factors to consider such as salary and the player’s own desires.
The ceiling for the 33-year-old seems to be as a back-up to a potential new No.9 signing, but there are worse options to have. Füllkrug has Champions League and international experience, and the likes of Edin Dzeko and Olivier Giroud show there is a place in Serie A for old school centre-forwards.
Santiago Gimenez
Gimenez has had a bit of an ordeal this season, going from topping Europe’s ‘top five’ leagues for big chances missed to requiring surgery that jeopardises the run-up to a home World Cup with Mexico. However, there is now light at the end of the tunnel.
The idea at the moment is for the former Feyenoord man to return to training by the end of the month, and then possibly be back in the matchday squads by March ahead of the all-important season finale. So, he will potentially have a chance to create some big moments.
Yet, the writing already seems on the wall for the €32m man. Allegri doesn’t seem to consider Gimenez to be suited to his style hence the talk of a summer sale right until the final gong, so that makes us question how much he will actually play when back.
Then, naturally, there will be a period of re-adapting and re-acclimatising to top flight football in Italy, something he didn’t exactly nail pre-injury. We hold sincere hopes that Santi goes on a fantastic run and nails down his spot for 2026-27, but at the moment he does feel the least likely to stay.
English (US) ·