Paulo Fonseca made some interesting comments regarding his decision to bench Rafael Leao again, insisting he is not above anyone else in the squad.
Leao has now been benched for the last three league games, and speaking before the match at the U-Power Stadium Fonseca suggested he was preserving the winger for midweek when his side take on Real Madrid.
The Portuguese came on with 30 minutes to go and had a couple of chances to kill the game off, including one where he burst through on goal after a dribble from deep in the Milan half.
In the press conference after the game, Fonseca spoke very clearly about his handling of Leao and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.
Three games in a row for Leao where he has started on the bench…
“There is no Leao case. It’s an option: Musah on the bench, Loftus-Cheek on the bench, Leao the same. This must be normal, it must be normal.”
Yes, mister, but Leao is not Loftus-Cheek, he is not Musah. Because of his status it is news when he goes to the bench three times…
“No, for me Leao is like Loftus-Cheek and Musah. Status doesn’t go on the pitch.”
The phrasing was certainly interesting, but it seems apparent that Fonseca was trying to convey the message that in his eyes all the players are equal in terms of having to work hard for their starting spot.
Just because Leao is the biggest name and highest-paid player does not mean he gets starts by default, at least in the eyes of the coach.