Alessandro Florenzi believes that Rafael Leao is the best player in Serie A, but his best position depends on the system used.
Ever since he joined from Lille all the way back in 2019, there has been debate about where to play Leao. Massimiliano Allegri’s decision to use a 3-5-2 sees the Portuguese playing perhaps the closest to goal that he ever has, at least since he was starring for Lille in France.
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Leao scored the winning goal against Lazio on Saturday night with what would be considered a trademark striker’s finish. He was in the right place at the right time to fire in Fikayo Tomori’s perfect cross, and it is a goal that will have very much pleased Allegri.
Florenzi spoke on Sky Calcio Club during the coverage of Roma’s defeat to Napoli last night, and he was asked about what he thinks Leao’s best position is. MilanPress relayed his response.
“It always depends on the formation. Allegri focused first on the team’s solidity. He decided to play with five players and provide solidity, with two strikers,” he said.
“After Pulisic’s injury, Leao scored five goals and provided an assist. Whether he plays on the left or up front, for me Leao is the best player in Serie A.”
Say no more Florenzi, haters can argue with their keyboards…..Rafa simply the best in Serie A
Rafael Leao may be the most talented player in Serie A, but I don’t think he can be considered the “best” player. He still has moments that are confounding. He should have had two goals Saturday against Lazio. At one point after Milan were up 1 – 0, someone for Milan got a shot on goal that the keeper deflected back in front of the goal a couple of meters from Leao, but Rafa had already stopped running and therefore did not get the opportunity for a easy tap in.
Leao’s effort has significantly improved this year under Allegri, so if this keeps improving, he may soon become “the best” as well as the most talented player is Serie A.
And who is the best player? 😀 You need to name a player that is better…
Well, how about Christian Pulisic? He has more assists and is scoring at a higher rate per minute played.
Leao 1 goal every 125 minutes
Pulisic 1 goal ever 84 minutes.
Am I saying Pulisic is more talented than Leao? NO.
However he works harder on the pitch and is therefore more valuable to the team. When Paramount+ shows the graphic of who ran the most in a game, if Pulisic has played most of the game, he is always in the top two Milan players. I have never see Leao in the top two.
Well, how about Christian Pulisic? He has more assists and is scoring at a higher rate per minute played.
Leao 1 goal every 125 minutes
Pulisic 1 goal ever 84 minutes.
Am I saying Pulisic is more talented than Leao? NO.
However he works harder on the pitch and is therefore more valuable to the team. When Paramount+ shows the graphic of who ran the most in a game, if Pulisic has played most of the game, he is always in the top two Milan players. I have never see Leao in the top two.
Milan Vs Cremonese our only loss, where was your best player in Serie A?
Paramount+ as a yardstick is totally wrong, that’s basically an American station than needed to sell captain fantastic and gain American audience into subscribing, it’s all sales gimmick, that’s not to say Pulisic is not fantastic, but Pulisic cannot singlehandedly guarantee victory but Leao can, he has done it against top teams like Inter, PSG and Real Madrid and was even named MOTM against the likes of Mbappe, Vini jr etc That makes him the best.
Milan vs Lazio, where was your best player in Serie A? He was having a rest on the pitch.
By my definition ( yours may differ ), you can’t be the best player on a team or in a league if you don’t put full effort into every time you are on the field. Allegri should have substituted out Leao after 30 minutes yesterday, it was obvious by that point he was not going to get any effort out of him. Unfortunately Milan have no one to replace him so we had to watch him walk and half heartedly jog around the pitch yesterday. I am not alone in this appraisal of Leao’s performance yesterday.
Leao is more talented than Pulisic but he too often gives a half hearted effort. Pulisic, while he certainly has some bad games is rarely ( never? ) accused of a lack of effort.