Evaluating a player like Rafael Leao is infinitely difficult, yet so simplistic. On the face of it, he’s a brilliant player, but the deeper side of this is what creates a problem for AC Milan.
The situation is a paradox, and whilst he represents a Milan shirt, it always will be. Yes, he is a phenomenal player, but there are too many limitations with him and his situation that always seem to hang with him.
Unfortunately, this is where problems arise and now, there needs to be a solution found.
Gazzetta dello Sport write that against Lecce, he was ‘decisive’, which no one can really argue, and once again, he reaffirmed that he is a player massively ‘not like others’. However, this is where we must question things.
Brilliant, yes. Frustrating, equally. For 45 minutes, the coach preferred others, and he is not the first to do so, yet when he came onto the field, he was fantastic, which is now a growing trend. Leao, in fact, is beginning to look like a better player from the bench, where he can run and do better against tired legs and minds.
Perhaps, this can be viewed that he has added another string to his bow, or perhaps, the fact that his role has now shifted, and his value with it.
After the game, he demonstrated his leadership role once again, after getting closer to the ‘double double’ (10 goals and 10 assists) again.
Leao, as an idea, a player, an asset, is so contradictive, and that is, in some ways, what makes him so brilliant. He will never be ‘perfect’ by definition, but he can be Leao, and that is what matters.
Leao is a player who the coach should be working with 1 on 1 to get the best out of him. You can’t bench Leao, Pulisic or Reinjders if they are fit to play.
These 3 are the most decisive players in the team. Put them in a position for them to excel. Smh
I couldn’t agree more, but Leão has always been a first eleven mainstay since he joined regardless of who was at the helm, always playing 85+ minutes every matchday. That, to me, is more that enough positioning for success. Leão must step and reward that trust with results!
Leao hasn’t improved in anything significantly under any coach. Feels like he needs a better cast around him to play better – same as Brahim Diaz. Leao won’t carry this team outside of what he did the second half of the Scudetto season.
Feels like when he starts games, he tends to fade out towards the end. Whereas when he comes off the bench, he’s more effective consistently.
You are on point
I’ve been saying this for a long time – he is more effective off the bench – fact.