Chukwueze set for crunch pre-season tasks

Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources Chukwueze set for crunch pre-season tasks Sports July 27, 2026 4:13 amFile photo: Samuel Chukwueze By  Abiodun Adewale Kindly share this story:Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has been handed a crucial opportunity to impress new AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim after being named in the club’s squad for its pre-season tour, with his future at the San Siro still uncertain, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Nigerian, who has been linked with a move away from the Rossoneri this summer, will be looking to convince Amorim that he deserves a place in his plans as Milan prepare for two high-profile friendlies. Milan have announced their squad for the tour, which includes Chukwueze, Rafael Leao, new signing Pervis Estupiñán and defender Fikayo Tomori. The Rossoneri head to Australia after playing out a 2-2 draw with Celtic in Glasgow on Sunday. They will face city rivals Inter Milan in Perth on Wednesday before taking on Chelsea in Jakarta on August 8. Amorim is keen to assess every player in his squad during the tour, including several whose futures remain unresolved.Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources Among them are Estupiñán, who has been heavily linked with a move to Aston Villa, and Tomori, who continues to attract interest from Newcastle United. Related News Europa League: Lyon edge Palace 3-2, Sunderland snatch late win Serie A: Okoye error condemns Udinese to fourth straight defeat Iheanacho sets new record with ninth-game scoring run Leao is still on holiday following the FIFA Club World Cup and is expected to join the squad in Australia next week, suggesting Milan are not anticipating an immediate transfer involving the Portuguese forward. Veteran midfielder Luka Modrić, Gonçalo Ramos, Alexis Saelemaekers, Ardon Jashari and Koni De Winter are also due to link up with the squad during the tour. Defender Mario Gila has also travelled despite sustaining a minor muscle injury in the friendly against Celtic. For Chukwueze, the pre-season fixtures could prove decisive as he seeks to earn Amorim’s confidence ahead of the 2026/27 campaign and avoid a summer exit from the seven-time European champions. The winger had just returned to Milan after a loan spell at Fulham, with the Premier League side opting against activating the €26m purchase option included in the agreement. During his time at Fulham, Chukwueze scored three goals and provided four assists in 23 league appearances, forming a strong partnership with fellow Nigerians Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.Abiodun Adewale Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years Kindly share this story: All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected]Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred SourcesStay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now! Join The Punch Newspapers ChannelStay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat. Get the Punch News AppRead the full article at Punch Nigeria