Rafael Leao would be the first to admit that his season has not gone how he’d liked. However, in recent months, he has faced more scrutiny with his role at AC Milan differing, and clubs becoming heavily interested in him.
Last season, Leao was firmly at his best, scoring 15 goals in Serie A and assisting eight. However, this season, the level has dropped below the level expected of a player on his pay package.
Whilst he has assisted eight times, he has only scored seven times in the league, and whilst numbers outside of Serie A can be taken into account, his performances have been in spells rather than a consistent performer, something which is worrying considering his wage is paid consistently rather than sporadically and his performances should follow the same pattern.
As Gazzetta dello Sport writes, when Rafa was called to the bench, the Portuguese winger was met with whistles – which has become an increasingly common feature of the winger’s substitutions. However, upon his removal from the pitch, he went straight down the tunnel.
Anger? Definitely. At the fans? Unlikely. At himself? Probably.
Leao has consistently demanded the best of himself, and whilst in spells he has shown his best this season, it has been frustrating for him, and Gazzetta calls it his most confusing season.
The situation is strange in that Leao can very easily demand his €175 million release clause on his day, but this season, his day has been infrequent, and it is not feasible for anyone to pay that fee for him, with the persistent interest even fading a little.
His biggest strength, arguably, is his consistency in his numbers, and the expectation for this season was 20 Serie A goals. However, he has regressed slightly, and whilst there is no need to be overly concerned yet, he must grow from this and show he is worthy of the role that Milan needs him to play.
Another campaign through media to ‘force’ the player go for a hefty money
Will PSG still interested to sign him
Leao reminds me of Henry before he joined Arsenal. You can see the talent is there but there’s no consistency. I’m hoping Milan can find the right manager to get the best out of him like Wenger did with Henry.
You forget to mention that the move to Arsenal also coincided with Henry being deployed more centrally, as opposed to a left winger, where he began. We’ve already seen how bad Leao is when he sits between two CBs. He needs to receive the ball in space, with time to turn, and begin his run.
You know it.
Leao is kinda lazy
How many other wingers are as tall, strong and skillful.
He doesn’t want to the hard job of playing between Cbs when he can just bully Rbs.
I would be insulting to Zaha describe Leao as “Portuguese Zaha” because Zaha never dodged the responsibility of playing in the box.
He needs a coach that will whoop his behind and make him leave his heart out on the field. At least that’s what’s expected from self-proclaimed leader that Leao voiced to be.
These things are so funny. One winger, who is a finished product, has less goal contributions but is described as having an incredible/ excellent season. The other has more contributions, is described as
not having a good season with a drop in form even though he’s contributed more than last year 🥴. Go figure
I really want to know who are these 2 wingers you are talking about.
Who is this finished product wingers?
Who is this winger that supposedly has a drop of form but has contributed more than last season?
Please, if it’s possible, provide some factual numbers.
Leao 13 goals and 13 assists = bad season
Pulisic 13 goals and 9 assists = excellent season
This is according to some articles. I personally think both had good season. 26 goals contribution can’t be bad no matter what. Plus many times when Leao don’t assist or scores he is still the one opening the space and starting/creating the chance in a way.
Thank you. Saved me alot of writing. It was painfully obvious who were the two. I mean a simple smidgen of thought would lead to that conclusion.
So Pulisic is the finished product and Leao is what, the young and up coming player?
Pulisic might look 45 but he is only 25. Only 8 months older than Leao.
In serie A Leao has 7 g and 8 assists. Pulisic has 10 goals and 7 assists in his 1st season in serie A.
Leao was called by many the best player in the league, while Pulisic was a flop who spent the last 3 years either Injured or on the bench at that mess called Chelsea.
Leao is making 7 mil a year, by far the highest paid player on the team, while Pulisic makes almost half that with 4 mil.
The same money Milan spent last summer to buy Pulisic, they spent on Leao to clean up his mess at Sporting.
Leao stat padded vs bad teams in Copa Italia and Europa league, otherwise his contributions this season are pitiful.
Do you see why they are viewed differently?
If you want them to be viewed the same stop with the stories that Leao is some great player and we won’t be able to replace him. Because we can replace his contribution with a player they can buy for 10, 15, 20 mil. Examples Kvara, Pulisic, even Berardi.
“Because we can replace his contribution with a player they can buy for 10, 15, 20 mil. Examples Kvara, Pulisic, even Berardi.”
I just quoted this part because I agree with all the rest.
I don’t think replacing Leao would be easy or even feasable. There is more to a player than his G+A. Leao is many games, because of his skillset, attracts a lot of attention which frees space for our other forwards including Pulisic. Berardi is too old and doesn’t have the same skillset as Leao and unless we get a gem as a RW or Chukwueze somehow turns out to be a monster, I don’t think Pulisic can replace Leao. Kvara would be too expensive, same for the other good left wingers currently.
Pioli realized a little late but has Pulisic now at the 10 where he will be more effective, Leao is/was marked by 2 and sometimes 3 but no one effective in the central area, now maybe things will open up. Assists first, the goals will come.
Love Puli but not sure deploying him as a 10 against a stronger team is viable as he is a defensive liability. Sure he is an attacking role but he has to defend too. He will hustle like heck to get back but tackling not is forte nor is reading/stepping into passing lanes.
I think Leao needs to improve his football IQ to be a great player.