Amorim Has Made His Choice: Chukwueze and Camarda Are Part of the Milan Project
Following the first pre-season friendly — a 2-2 draw against Celtic — head coach Ruben Amorim publicly confirmed the futures of two players who caught the eye during the match: Samuel Chukwueze and Francesco Camarda are both part of AC Milan’s plans for the 2025/2026 season.
Chukwueze as a Wing-Back: Amorim’s Tactical Bet
The most intriguing aspect concerns the role Amorim has in mind for the Nigerian. The Portuguese coach sees him not as a number ten, but as a wide midfielder in his system — a decision that makes plenty of sense in the attacking phase. Chukwueze boasts explosive pace, sharp dribbling and a remarkable ability to create numerical superiority on the flanks. Against Celtic, after coming on at half-time, the Nigerian completely changed the game: two accurate crosses for Camarda and constant danger down the right.
The challenge, however, lies in the defensive phase. Chukwueze is not historically known for his work without the ball, and playing as a wing-back in Amorim’s 3-4-3 demands tactical discipline and consistent cover. The balance on the right flank will be key: paired alongside Mario Gila — an attentive and focused defender — the combination looks manageable. With Fikayo Tomori on the same side, though, the defensive cover could be an issue. It is something Amorim will need to fine-tune during pre-season.
That said, the coach expressed satisfaction with what he sees in training. The Nigerian winger is doing everything to earn a starting spot, and his second-half display against the Scottish side was an encouraging sign.
Camarda as Back-Up to Gonzalo Ramos: Amorim Makes It Official
The most heartwarming news, though, concerns Milan’s youngest striker: Francesco Camarda stays at Milan. Amorim confirmed it publicly after the match, naming the teenager as deputy to Gonzalo Ramos. A bold and deserved call for an 18-year-old who had just renewed his contract and, on the very same day, sealed the deal before scoring a brace in the Celtic friendly.
His post-match words were pure Rossoneri passion: “I’m honoured to be at Milan, to have gone through this journey here, to have renewed. I fight every day for this shirt, I grew up wearing it, I’m a Milan fan and I’m so happy about what is happening.”
Now the hard part begins. Camarda must prove himself day in, day out — growing tactically and physically, carving out his space in a pecking order led by Gonzalo Ramos. The future of Santiago Gimenez will also play a role in the attacking hierarchy: if the Mexican stays, the young Italian will have to work even harder for his minutes.
Two important confirmations, then, that help shape the squad Amorim is building: young, talented and driven. The Milan of the future already has two of its building blocks in place.
