AC Milan manager, Ruben Amorim, has explained why Samuel Chukwueze can operate as a wing-back for the club this season, insisting the role has more to do with the Nigerian’s spirit and character than his defensive qualities, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Amorim has settled on a three-four-two-one formation for Milan and has used Chukwueze in the wing-back position throughout pre-season, a departure from the winger’s usual attacking role, which has raised concerns among some fans about his defensive capabilities.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Amorim said the Nigerian’s work rate, rather than his defending, was what mattered most in the role.

“It depends on the mentality of the player. Sometimes people just look at one player because he’s really good offensively and they think he cannot defend,” Amorim said.

“Defending is about spirit and character, which Chukwueze has. He’s improving, of course he’s not the typical defender, but we think he suits our game. He can really help us control the ball and I think he defended much better against Man Utd.”

Asked whether his use of Chukwueze mirrored how he deployed Amad Diallo during his time at Manchester United, Amorim explained that the demands of Italian football required a different balance between attacking freedom and defensive discipline.

“I realise here a winger is more of a full-back in Italy, but we want to play more with the ball than without the ball. We want to defend really well, but I believe we defend well with the ball. If we don’t have the ball, it doesn’t matter if we have ten defenders, we’re going to have problems,” he said.

Chukwueze, who returned to Milan following a productive loan spell at Fulham, is set to continue in the wing-back role again, with the club keen to see whether he can add further assists to his tally in the position.