AC Milan must deal with a significant blow to their season: Samuel Chukwueze has undergone surgery in London to treat the rupture of the tensor fasciae latae tendon in his left hip. The operation was carried out in the presence of Dr. Stefano Mazzoni, the club’s Head of Medical Services, and was a complete success. The Nigerian winger has already returned to Italy and immediately began his rehabilitation programme.
The Official Club Statement
AC Milan released an official statement confirming that Chukwueze underwent surgery in London to resolve the rupture of the tensor fasciae latae tendon in his left hip. The procedure was carried out successfully, and the player returned to Italy shortly after. The rehabilitation process will last a minimum of three months.
How It Came to Surgery
In the days prior to the operation, the Nigerian winger had attempted conservative treatment with injections, hoping to avoid surgery and return to the pitch as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the treatment failed to produce the desired results: the hip discomfort did not subside, and after several weeks of waiting, the surgical option became unavoidable. This delay inevitably extended the total recovery timeline, costing the player two to three weeks he could have used for post-operative rehabilitation.
Recovery Timeline and Expected Return
With a minimum layoff of three months, Chukwueze will in all likelihood miss the entirety of November, December and January. His return to action is provisionally expected sometime in February 2026, though much will depend on how his body responds to the rehabilitation process and the intensity of the work he is able to put in over the coming weeks.
What This Means for Milan
The loss of the Nigerian winger is a significant setback for the team managed by Rúben Amorim. Chukwueze was a valuable option on the right flank, providing rotation depth, unpredictability and cover for the Portuguese head coach. With Alexis Saelemaekers also sidelined with an ankle problem, the right side of Milan’s attack is now dangerously thin.
The situation almost certainly calls for intervention in the January transfer window. The club’s management will need to carefully evaluate the options available to strengthen the right flank. Among the most discussed possibilities is a potential early return of Aké Loba, a wide forward currently on loan at Lyon — a club that has recently changed manager and is going through a period of uncertainty. To bring him back early, however, the existing loan contract running until June would need to be terminated, a complex but viable option worth monitoring.
Amorim’s Thin Squad and the January Window
This injury once again highlights a recurring theme of this season: Milan’s squad lacks depth, with few quality alternatives to the starters in certain areas of the pitch. Amorim himself has repeatedly emphasised the need for rotation, but with limited resources on the right flank, his room for manoeuvre narrows further. January is approaching, and the winter transfer window could become a pivotal opportunity to correct the squad’s weaknesses and build a deeper, more competitive team across the board.
