Crespo states Leao can never be a champion as just a dribbler: “Not added value”

Rafael Leao’s situation at AC Milan is certainly delicate. Everyone knows his talent, but it is difficult to see that talent at present.

Probably the most frustrating thing about Leao is his lack of consistency, but this is no new problem. Last season, even though he got more than 25 contributions, there were questions about his ability with him struggling to consistently perform.

It goes beyond this though, and there have been regular questions about his ability to dominate games consistently. Ultimately, in the past 14 months, we have not seen a consistent enough Leao to call him the best player on the team.

On his day, he can be that without a doubt, but that day is too infrequent, which is why he must alter his game slightly. Hernan Crespo discussed his current position and evaluated Leao’s future at Milan. His words to Gazzetta dello Sport have been relayed by Milan News.

“He is a talent, he has remarkable qualities, both technical and athletic, but he has not yet reached the maturity that a champion must have. In short, it’s as if he’s halfway there. It’s not enough to be able to dribble to be called a champion, but with Leao, the compliments were a bit too much.

“There are players who stop just before becoming champions. I have known many of them. I hope this is not the case with Leao, but he certainly has to pull something out of his character to be able to make a breakthrough. The difference between a good player, I would say a very good player as Leao is, and a champion is quite simple: continuity.

“Leao does wonderful things for two or three games and then pulls the plug. A champion is always a champion even when he plays below his standard level. He is a reference point for the team, you know he is there and will always be there. Of Leao, before he takes the field, can we say that he is there and will always be there?”

Would Milan be better off parting with Leao?

“I don’t enter into the dynamics of the market, also because I don’t know the type of contract of the Portuguese. Certainly, if it goes on like this, Leao is not an added value for the team. And that is a pity because he has great means and great potential. He just hasn’t managed to make the leap in quality yet. And mind you, he hasn’t done it with Milan, but not even with the national team.”