The recent statements of Christopher Nkunku inevitably reopen the debate about his sale. On the eve of the Como-Lipsia match, the Frenchman admitted that he did not fully understand Milan's handling of him: "I respect Milan's decision but I also did not understand why they managed me this way. I was surprised".
Words without a direct attack, but enough to raise a question: did the red-and-black club give up too quickly on a player who could have had an important role in Ruben Amorim's system?
Nkunku Milan, a profile suited to the trequartista role
Amorim's system uses two trequartisti behind the striker, tasked with moving between the lines, linking in tight areas and attacking the box. Those characteristics are theoretically compatible with Nkunku's repertoire.
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The Frenchman is not a traditional winger nor a pure centre‑forward. His ideal zone is right behind the attacker, where he can receive between midfield and defence, combine with teammates and exploit his ability to make runs. Behind Gonçalo Ramos, he could have been a valuable technical solution.
Milan, was Nkunku's sale reckless?
Calling Milan's choice already wrong would be premature. Nkunku had not offered a sufficiently consistent performance and the club may have found it more convenient to part with a player they did not see as central to the new project.
The decision, however, inevitably carries a risk component. Milan gave up an experienced, technically refined player capable of covering multiple positions just as Amorim is still searching for the ideal interpreters for his trequartista role.
Nkunku could have expanded Amorim's options
The presence of Pulisic, Hutchinson, Cissè and other attacking players provides different solutions, but Nkunku would have added something special. The Frenchman naturally occupies central spaces and can interact with the striker without limiting himself to wing duels.
In some matches, especially against opponents packed in their own half, his quality in tight areas could have helped Milan find less predictable passing lines. His versatility would also have allowed Amorim to change the formation without immediately resorting to substitutions.
Nkunku Milan, the regret will depend on the field
Probably the problem is not only the sale, but the fact that Milan did not manage to fully exploit him before making a final decision. The player's words suggest that even he did not completely understand the path set by the club.
His stay would not have automatically guaranteed goals, assists or victories. However, he would have offered Amorim a natural interpreter for a fundamental position in his system. For this reason the sale can be considered a risky choice: not necessarily wrong, but far from risk‑free.
If Nkunku manages to become decisive again while Milan continues to look for quality behind Ramos, those statements could gain even more weight. What is today only a doubt could turn into a real red‑and‑black regret.







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