Milan’s season has acquired an awkward after-image. While the club searches for goals and consistency, a group of players who struggled in red and black last term have begun to find their way again elsewhere. Rafael Leao is still waiting for his first Galatasaray goal, but many of the other recent departures have already marked the new campaign with decisive moments of their own.
The coach and the club
The contrast is uncomfortable for a Milan side that missed out on Champions League qualification in 2025-26, despite appearing close to the target as late as March. Several of the players now scoring abroad had found it difficult to make an impact at Milanello, particularly after January.
Under Amorim, some were considered outside the first-team plan, while others left after loans or unsuccessful permanent spells. Their early returns elsewhere do not rewrite what happened at Milan, but they underline how quickly a player’s confidence can change with a different dressing room, a clearer role or simply a new beginning.
Milan have their own attacking concerns. Ramos, signed during Gerry Cardinale’s ownership for more than €70 million plus bonuses, has scored only once so far. Around him, former Rossoneri forwards and midfielders are enjoying a much freer opening to the season.
Fofana finds his place in Seville
Youssouf Fofana is the latest former Milan player to score. The Frenchman put Sevilla ahead against Barcelona, striking the opening goal against the reigning champions before Hansi Flick’s side recovered to win 3-1.
Fofana had joined Sevilla on loan at the end of the previous transfer window after falling out of favour with Amorim and Milan’s hierarchy. His start in Spain has been considerably more encouraging: he has featured in all four matches since arriving and has started each of the last three. From being surplus to requirements, he has quickly become an important part of Sevilla’s side.
The forwards rediscover the net
Santiago Gimenez’s move to Porto has also brought an immediate lift. The Mexican had looked increasingly frustrated in Milan, but he has already scored for Francesco Farioli’s Porto, converting a penalty against Casa Pia. He has played only 60 minutes across three appearances, all as a substitute, yet he has already removed the burden of an early-season wait for a goal.
Gimenez is due to face Benfica in Porto’s major upcoming fixture, with his first contribution offering a small but meaningful sign that the new environment may suit him.
Christopher Nkunku has returned to RB Leipzig on loan with an option to buy and has revived a familiar celebration. He scored in Leipzig’s 5-0 victory over Hamburg, once again producing the red-balloon celebration associated with his earlier time at the German club.
His contribution has not been limited to scoring. Nkunku supplied an assist in the Champions League defeat to Como and another in the win over Borussia Mönchengladbach, suggesting that Leipzig are again benefiting from his creative influence as well as his finishing.
Niclas Füllkrug has made perhaps the strongest start of all. Milan did not take up the option to sign him permanently after his loan from West Ham, and the English club subsequently sent him on loan to Werder Bremen. He has responded with three Bundesliga goals, against Leipzig, Cologne and Augsburg, as well as a German Cup goal against Hansa.
The run is a sharp change from his Milan period, when he scored once in 20 appearances and also missed a penalty.
Athekame makes an immediate impression
Zachary Athekame was given little opportunity after Amorim arrived during the tour and was sent on a straight loan to Olympique Lyon. In France, he has already scored twice and registered two assists.
His goals came in Lyon wins over Auxerre and Rennes, with the strike against Rennes his most recent. He has regularly been among Lyon’s standout performers, finding the space and confidence that had not been available to him in Milan.
Still waiting for their first moment
Not every recent departure has had an immediate breakthrough. Leao remains scoreless at Galatasaray, while several others are still trying to establish themselves in their new surroundings.
- Odogu has yet to make his Toulouse debut.
- The young Kostic has moved to Sparta Rotterdam.
- Ismael Bennacer left as a free agent and joined Al-Gharafa.
- Samuele Ricci has joined Como on loan.
For Milan, the goals elsewhere are not a verdict on every decision made during the summer. They are, however, another reminder of football’s changing seasons: players who seemed burdened at one club can appear lighter at the next, and those left behind must find their own response quickly.
