"Which role do I like best? The playmaker, but it depends on the match and of course on the coach’s decisions.” Christopher Nkunku, during his presentation press conference, gave an honest answer to reporters, stressing several times that his future at Milan will depend on Massimiliano Allegri’s choices and his chemistry with teammates.
The French forward has been at Milanello for a week, working to regain fitness after a summer without minutes in Chelsea’s friendlies. True, Nkunku was involved in the Club World Cup (won) until July 13, but in practice he has not played a game in two months. For this reason, it is unlikely he will start against Bologna on Sunday evening. More likely, Allegri will give him a spell in the second half. The question is: where? And in place of whom?
Nkunku's versatility
Unless there are tactical upheavals, something Allegri has shown in the past, “Christo” (as he was called in England) will not play as a pure playmaker. As long as the coach sticks to his 3-5-2, Nkunku’s spots will be either as a main striker with Pulisic or as a support forward to Leao in his new central role. He has the qualities to handle both. He has a scorer’s instinct (only Gimenez, in the current Milan squad, also reached 20 goals in a league season) and the movement to work around a No. 9.
Nkunku came through at PSG as a midfielder before evolving across the front line: playmaker, winger, and full striker. That history gives Allegri options to use him in different ways from game to game, as pointed out by La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper in this morning's print edition.
Milan's formations
It is natural to think of a trident of speed and technique with Nkunku, Pulisic, and Leao. Tempting, but hard for the rest of the team to balance unless all three are willing to put in the work. A 3-4-2-1, or even a 4-3-3 or 3-4-1-2, with Nkunku is possible. It will take time, though. Allegri values balance, and after Milan’s defensive issues in recent seasons, solidity comes first.
Still, Allegri is a coach who recognizes and values talent. When he had plenty of it, at Juventus and in his first spell at Milan, he was not shy about using it. At Milanello, a few training sessions were enough to convince him that Nkunku is not ordinary. What impressed him? Speed, skill (comfortable with both feet), and intelligence.
In modern football, with five substitutions, coming off the bench is no longer a downgrade. Even so, once all the stars are fit, leaving out one of Nkunku, Pulisic, or Leao will not be easy. Perhaps Allegri will surprise with a trademark “allegrata.” One suggestion? A hard-working, full-wing Pulisic like Saelemaekers, or even as a creative midfielder.
