Giorgio Chiellini has claimed that he would like to see more from Rafael Leao, who is not yet on the same level as a player like Vinicius Junior.
The 2023-24 season was an interesting one for Leao as he racked up 15 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, but it was another campaign in which he alternated world class performances with anonymous ones, and endured further goal droughts.
It has been speculated in the last few days that Leao is the subject of interest from Saudi clubs, above all Al-Hilal. The team that won the last league title in the Saudi Pro League are ready to offer €100m to Milan for Leao and they will table a huge contract offer, but the winger doesn’t seem keen.
In the meantime, he has had a tough start to Euro 2024 with Portugal. Roberto Martinez decided to use him in a front two during their first two group games but he was taken off in each having received yellow cards in both matches for simulation, meaning he missed the final group fixture.
Chiellini spoke during an interview with Sky and he was asked for his thoughts on Leao, a player that he faced when he was still at Juventus. He didn’t hold back on his thoughts, which were relayed by Sportal.
“We all wish he was a bit further ahead [in his development], but he’s not: he lacks the numbers and his potential remains largely unrealised. I don’t know if he’ll ever have that click in his mind to score more goals and provide more assists,” he said.
“As of today, for me, he is a great substitute rather than a permanent starter for a team aiming to win either a European Championship or the Champions League. If the benchmark is Vinicius and Rodrigo, he is not at their level.”
Weird. So if you’re neither Vinicius nor Rodrygo you can’t be a starter? That’s problematic for all teams not named Real Madrid. Leao probably still has undisclosed potential but to say that he should be a substitute when he’s our best offensive players for at least three years…
If only Leao showed more diligence and determination, he would had been at the same level of Vini, heck maybe even more. I remember he put a shhh sign to Milan fans after scoring a goal after in maybe more than 10+ games without any goal which got him critized for that. And funny thing, after that goal, once again he showed inconsistency for several games. From what I see (I hope I am wrong), he is the type who is too quick to be satisfied, so not eager to improve.
I guess Chielini would be the star of a freak show then. Ladies and gentlemen proud to introduce Chielini the birdman, half bird, half man, biggest beak in town 😛
Haha as we say in France, this man can smoke in the shower or under the rain!
😀 Funny saying and he probably could.
I agree and disagree. He’s more than just a bench player but he lacks that motivation to become the next star. When he’s on his came there’s nobody that can stop him. But mentally he’s not at the level as the top players. When you look at mbappe play he’s focused for the 90 minutes looking to do something while you look at leao half the game he’s smiling he’s walking around and doesn’t look interested. He needs a mental coach that get him focused and only then will leao show his true potential
He cant be focus wit the fashion and music in front of him.. he is on the filed and thinking of next song to record in this studio for his upcoming album
Millanellofm- you are exactly right. He doesn’t have the mentality to be a top player. He has the talent, but not the drive. I’ll also say that his numbers make him look better than he is. There is so much he doesn’t do on the field- defense, tactical awareness, just playing hard.
I will say it till Leoa retires, he can be as good as Henry. He has the same style and ideas on the pitch but he lacks the mentality needed to get to and stay at that level. He can be as good as Henry but man he certainly lacks the focus and determination to do it week in and week out. He is definitely not a bench player but he isn’t a star player either.
Leao succeed in Milan. He is not best winger in the world, but, Milan risks paying 30 million for transfer fee to bring player who no one known about him. Today he is one of the most dangerous left winger. We should not forget, before last season Milan had only left wing as opportunity for attack and I believe that year by year, Milan will not depend on left wing so much more and that Leao will have less impact in games.
Leao needs coaching, give him to pep and he’ll be the best winger on the planet. That’s why we needed to get an elite coach next
I would’ve never guessed this when he was a player but Chiellini has proved time after time that he is a dumb person with his interviews after retirement.
To think he has a university degree, too!