Baiocchini on Okafor’s lack of minutes: 'Yes there’s Leao, he deserved more chances'

Sky journalist Manuele Baiocchini has claimed that Noah Okafor deserved more minutes in the AC Milan side this season even though Rafael Leao is ahead of the Swiss player in the team. 

Speaking today at Milanello (via Milan News), the journalist took stock of Okafor’s situation amid rumours that he could be sold by the Rossoneri at the end of the campaign, which was his first in Italy.

Okafor signed from RB Salzburg but has only started in five Serie A matches this season, although he has been a regular contributor from the bench.

He has managed to score six league goals and get one assist in that time, which is impressive and many feel that he warrants more time on the pitch in the future.

Baiocchini also pointed out that, whilst Leao has the left side on lockdown, he has not been at his best recently and could have been ousted for Okafor.

“Noah Okafor hasn’t found much space this season, he seemed to be kept a little too much on the margins of this team. He only played 288 minutes and only one match for the full 90 minutes. It’s true that in his position there is Leao, who is the strongest in the team, but the Portuguese is not in great shape physically and therefore the Swiss would have deserved a few more chances,” Baiocchini explained.

The journalist then took stock of the training session at Milanello where Ruben Loftus-Cheek remained away from the team as he is injured, and Samuel Chukwueze will compete for a place on the wing which would force Christian Pulisic into the centre.

“As for the team, Milan trained this morning but Loftus-Cheek is still apart because he is injured, but there will be a run-off with Chukwueze, so we could see Pulisic as an attacking midfielder again. Kalulu returns, who had already played against Genoa and above all, captain Calabria returns as the starter, who has served the two matchdays suspension,” he said.