GdS: Work, redemption, references – Nkunku surrounded by positivity after Milan move

Christopher Nkunku arrived at AC Milan in the final days of the mercato. After a difficult summer, he has had to work hard.

Like Milan did with Yacine Adli, Nkunku was a part of the Chelsea departure list, and so he was banished from training with the group and the club’s friendlies. So, he has had to get back up to speed quickly.

As Gazzetta dello Sport, seen below, writes, the Frenchman was not ready for the start of the season. Though this is no slight on him.

Field and gym work

In the past 10 days, he has been training heavily, trying to get up to the required speed to play a part for the Rossoneri. Even if he is not there yet, he has worked to try to get there.

Last Tuesday, the attacker had a physical assessment, with the coaches laying out a plan to get him back to his peak. So, he has followed this personal plan religiously, both on the pitch and in the gym, to get himself ready.

He will not start; the goal was not to do so, at least not yet. Instead, he can be effective from the bench, eventually stepping into a starting position. Massimiliano Allegri and his staff are analysing his training performances heavily. Nothing is being left to chance, and they want him present soon.

Redemption

Nkunku deserves praise for his part in this, too. In London, his time was largely forgettable, even if he lifted the Club World Cup with 15 goals last season. However, he did not grab the attention of the coach.

After a big-money move, he was rejected on the big stage, and now the Diavolo are banking on a feeling of revenge to emerge. Something which they are confident he can do with trophies.

References

Rafael Leao took the job of showing him around Milanello, giving him a complete tour of everywhere he will be, in training and throughout the day. However, he will not sit beside the Portuguese in the dressing room. Instead, he will be alongside Mike Maignan.

The Frenchman is a great friend of Maignan, and the request came from the goalkeeper, who hopes to be a ‘reference’ for the attacker.

Away from the pitch, he will start learning Italian, whilst also looking for a new place to live, though Milan are helping through it all. He wants to win the hearts of the Milanisti, and to do that, he needs some initial support, which certainly is not lacking. The work has already begun, and Nkunku is dedicated to the progress.