GdS: ‘Wild card for Allegri’ – Nkunku signing provokes intrigue about Milan’s attack

Christopher Nkunku is at work at Milanello following his move to AC Milan late in the window, and Massimiliano Allegri has a true wild card.

La Gazzetta dello Sport recall that Nkunku trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Tuesday and Rafael Leao was the one who introduced him to the dressing room, one that is 12 players down due to international call-ups.

Among the absentees is Mike Maignan, a great friend of Nkunku. It’s no coincidence that when it came to choosing his spot, the Frenchman asked which one was the goalkeeper’s and sat next to it, after also greeting his fellow countryman Youssouf Fofana.

An attacking wild card

Fans expect great things from Nkunku, both because of his past as a top player in Germany (Player of the Season in 2021-22 and Bundesliga top scorer in 2022-23) and the fee paid by Milan (€37m, the most expensive purchase of the summer) to snatch him from Chelsea.

However, Nkunku hasn’t played a match since July 13th, the day of the Club World Cup final victory against PSG, the team that launched him into senior football. After that, no friendlies and mostly individual training sessions before the move to Milan, so it’s logical he needs time to get into shape.

Image: AC Milan

It’s unlikely the 27-year-old will start immediately, although Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez will likely be feeling the strain of the long trip to America (for international duty). Meanwhile, Rafael Leao will have just recovered from the calf injury that kept him out against Cremonese and Lecce.

Either way, there’s still curiosity about his position, especially after Allegri’s words at the Via del Mare after the win over Lecce when he stated: “I don’t know where I’ll use him.” At present, the obvious choice seems to be fielding him in a two-man attack in the 3-5-2 system.

A sudden change in formation is out of the question, but the system could change in-game depending on the needs of the match itself. Perhaps the sacrifice of Pulisic on the flank, could allow Nkunku and Rafa to form a high-speed pairing up front.

Christopher, however, has great versatility among his strengths. As a first or second striker, attacking midfielder or winger, he adapts quickly. So watch out for surprises: yet another surprise move from Max could be just around the corner.