Milan’s problems at striker go back 13 years, starting from Ibrahimovic’s sale to PSG. Aside from a few exceptions like Bacca, Giroud, and Ibrahimovic’s return, the club has failed to find a forward who fits the present and offers a base for the future. Significant money has been spent, especially in recent years, yet the results are poor. The last two signings show this. Santi Gimenez cost 30.2 million euros from Feyenoord in January 2025 and Christopher Nkunku cost 37 million euros plus bonuses from Chelsea last summer. They have scored only two goals in total, both in the early Coppa Italia match against Lecce at San Siro. Far too little.
This does not mean Nkunku and Gimenez lack quality. Gimenez was thriving at Feyenoord in both league and Europe. His brace against Bayern Munich in the Champions League is still fresh in memory. Nkunku needed a fresh start after a confusing period in a confused Chelsea side. Maresca’s team is only now forming an identity after years of chaotic spending. Nkunku was one of the most explosive players in the Bundesliga at Leipzig, a constant source of goals and assists.
It is not time for final verdicts, but it is possible to say Milan's environment, playing style, and coaching demands do not suit them. So who fits Milan? There is a sense of a smaller version of the “Manchester United effect”. Enormous pressure, no margin for error, and a heavy shirt. Being a Milan striker, for a club big in reputation but struggling on the pitch, fits only a few players. Who managed it recently? Ibrahimovic, who needs no introduction. At 38, he returned from MLS and proved once again he was one of the greats of his era. Then Giroud, who played for Arsenal and Chelsea, is France’s top scorer, and won Ligue 1 as a key figure with Montpellier, as relayed via Milan News.
There is also the issue of the coach not receiving the type of striker he wanted. Early in the summer, Tare spoke of a Giroud-style profile, someone who fills the box and plays with his back to goal. Who arrived? Nkunku, a mobile forward with a different skill set. Market choices at Milan have often lacked coherence. With the arrival of a real sporting director, a clearer line was expected. Instead, the Nkunku deal was another panic move. Now the club starts again, hoping to find a financial and sporting solution in January.
As for Nkunku and Gimenez, calling them lost causes would be absurd. They must help themselves too, break the deadlock, and lift their level. As Allegri once said, help yourself and God helps you.
