As often happens in big games where he does not get on the scoresheet, Rafael Leao’s performance against Bayer Leverkusen is dividing opinion among fans and the media.
As Calciomercato.com‘s Daniele Longo writes, the most positive note was probably Youssouf Fofana who took the keys to the midfield and gave an almost omni-present performance, showing exactly what he can bring as the balancer of the side.
The most interesting note concerns Leao: against the German champions he was unable to score or assist as much as he would have liked, but the work for and with the team was excellent, meaning the winger must start again from here.
Leao’s performance at the BayArena divided the fans as often happens. However, those who are dissatisfied are smaller in numbers than those who appreciated the fighting spirit shown on the field by the former Lille man.
He was not always perfect in defensive retreats, but he certainly showed himself to be attentive and fully applied particularly during what was a difficult first half spent mostly defending. Rafa is working on some aspects that he previously neglected, now he wants to become complete and mature.
Several factors have made this start to the season complicated for Leao. We are still far from seeing the best version of the 25-year-old, but Fonseca is asking him to work differently defensively which requires some time to adjust to.
However, there is also the fact that cannot be ignored: what everyone expects from Leao is a goal that decides a match or an assist that breaks it open, given he is the highest-paid player and he is now entering his sixth season at the club.
pls sell him. We want the Nico Williams
Good luck with that…
I don’t understand this continuous attack on Leao.
When Milan wins Leao is good otherwise sell him and he is useless.
Milan’s midfield is still fragile so don’t expect much from key attacking players. Just look how Kvaratskhelia’s performance changed from Spaletti to Rudi Garcia then now with Conte.
Leao is trying and even having extra training sessions to “understand” Fonseca’s system and soon we will see if that system is reliable or just another version of Fonseca’s Roma.
“Just look how Kvaratskhelia’s performance changed from Spaletti to Rudi Garcia then now with Conte.”
Exactly. Leao’s performances have NOT changed between Pioli and Fonseca. The same complaints about Leao have been going on since he arrived at the club. It’s not the coaches, it’s the player.
Yawn …
Watch the game yesterday with a focus on Leao.
He was good at tracking back and being in the right area out of possession. (Something it took Chuk 3/4 of the season to figure out)
Note that Leao is in position, but poor at the actual skills requires to defend. This is everything from knowing where his help is to hip and shoulder position.
Given his ability to adapt to where to be on the field so quickly. Given his athletic gifts. There is an open question about his willingness to work at these details.
Taking those three aspects into account we will know by Jan if he is able to be a complete player.
During that time he will not be out on the left waiting for that one pass that allows him to run around defenses. So he has to work harder to push forward from farther back or farther inside. It is natural his impact on the game will not be what we are used to.
He is being asked to change the impact he has on the game.
We have to wait anyway for the Jan window, or more realistically the summer. So I will continue to root for Rafa’s evolution into a more complete player.
If you are just calling for him to be sold now you are wasting electrons.
Forza Milan.
Personally I am on the fence with Leao. I lean more on the side of selling him. I just don’t think he provides enough to the team to warrant a regular starting spot of the pay.
He can create magic and we really don’t know how high his ceiling is. Just think in the long run he will be a player people look back and think ” he never reached the hype around him.”
He will give us brilliant moments and we will all think he turned a corner. But that will be it. A flash here and there but leaves the left side vulnerable and Theo to work harder than he should defensively.
Leao is acting as a spoiled brat in Milan. In no other team he would be given this opportunity of walking around the field for 5 years.
If he would not lose the ball every chance he gets, have more successful dribbles than failed ones & have the ability of hitting the net instead of the stands, he might be scoring 16+ league goals a season — only then I might’ve given him a pass for the rest.
He gets somewhat above average numbers per season in terms of statistics not because he is a star, but because he is an inside forward & it is his main job to get those points. Once he is replaced, somebody else would get these numbers instead.
Look at Pulisic. Quiet, humble & at the same time fights until the end, helps out in defence, decisive in the attack, always productive no matter what. This is a night and day when you compare the two.
Please sell while there is still some value in it. 50 million would be sufficient, as it is quite doubtful that somebody is willing to pay more for this prima donna.
I wanna know who gave that instruction to stop his run almost at the end of the first half. Who told him to stop a run….this was after Bayer was in our half and he had some space to run/counter. It was like the second extra time minute of the half so there’s no big risk trying to get a goal before the half ended.
I’ve also noticed that he seems to be told to hold up the play more and pass to the middle more
He is out of focus. Complains too much on the teammates for not getting the ball, and than when he gets it he does not do any good. So just focus on your game, and what you do when you get the ball, not on the teammates !!!
If you are waiting for this guy to become a great footballer, you will be waiting an awful long time..
LAZY…LAZY…LEAO … For you fans that are blind, try watching him off the ball ,so flat footed that he couldn”t make a defensive play and can”t pass or cross correctly. SELL LEAO !!!!