AC Milan have confirmed that Samuel Chukwueze underwent surgery in London for a ruptured tendon in his left hip. The Nigerian winger is expected to be out for several months and will miss the double-header against Tanzania.
Samuel Chukwueze is going under the knife, and Nigeria are paying the price. AC Milan confirmed on 7 November that he had undergone surgery in London to repair “a rupture of the tendon of the tensor fasciae latae muscle of the left hip”, according to the club statement relayed by SportsBuddy. The Milan staff report a successful procedure and a return to Italy the same day to begin rehabilitation.
For the Super Eagles, the timing could hardly be worse. The 27-year-old winger will miss Nigeria’s double-header against Tanzania on 13 and 17 November. It is the second blow in twenty-four hours for the national team, after the announcement of Osimhen’s surgery.
Schilders at the helm, Mazzoni present
The Milan statement is precise on the protocol. The operation was “performed by Professor Ernest Schilders, in the presence of Dr Stefano Mazzoni”, the club doctor, and the club describes it as successful. Chukwueze is due to return to Italy straight away to begin his rehabilitation.
According to SportsBuddy, citing La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport, the absence would be three to five months, with a possible return only in the spring. These are press estimates, to be treated with caution.
Four matches already missed, more to come
The injury dates back to 18 October, in the Serie A match against Atalanta. The winger has not played since. The injury has already ruled him out of the league matches against Udinese, Inter and Bologna, as well as the Europa League match against Bournemouth.
The list is likely to grow longer. Beyond the double-header with Tanzania, if the estimate proves correct, Chukwueze would stay off the pitch for much of the Italian autumn and winter.
A wing-back role barely begun
The injury comes as the winger was adapting this season to a new wing-back role under head coach Ruben Amorim. That repositioning has been cut short.
For Nigeria, both Osimhen and Chukwueze will be absent against Tanzania. The 27-year-old must now begin his rehabilitation in Italy, with the length of his spell on the sidelines still to be confirmed.