This weekend, the debate about Rafael Leao and his position for AC Milan reached a new level with fans seeking answers about where to play the Portuguese.
Against Cremonese, Leao started as a striker, but he ended the game on the wing, as he so often has done in recent times. Naturally, he is a winger, but Massimiliano Allegri’s work has seen him transform into a central option.
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The ‘eternal’ Leao debate
As Calciomercato.com writes, in the game this weekend, there were several talking points involving Leao and his position. He certainly missed a few big chances, ones you need to score as a striker, but he got in the right positions.
Is Leao a typical striker? No, that much is simple. However, he is only bettered goal-wise in Serie A by Lautaro Martinez, one of the most out-and-out strikers in Europe. For the Portuguese to be in the conversation without that experience is a strong point.
However, the ‘eternal debate’ carries on.
In the summer, the Rossoneri will probably sign a striker, and it remains to be seen if Leao will be replaced or if they will play alongside him up front. If it is the former, the question arises about his position.
At 27, as the report writes, he is not going to develop much more, so a sale could be considered for the right fee. The World Cup could reignite talks with the European elites, and offers could arrive.
However, there are no signs that either party wants this. In fact, the talks of a renewal recently say enough.
Leao is not a striker, he’s a winger. For him to be effective, he needs to play wide on the left with 3 up front so the other 2 players’ presence draws the defense away and creates spaces.
As long as Allegri plays a 3-5-2 corto muso, Leao will not be effective. Either Allegri adapts to a 3-man front (a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3, etc.), Leao will be ineffective.
Similar situation with Pulisic but unlike Leao, Pulisic naturally moves to / finds open spaces and can play as a forward in a 3-5-2. He seemed to play well off Fullkrug in their one half together.
For the sake of whatever Allegri holds dear, pleassssseeeee play rafa in his natural winger position. Why is this man dumb?
Leao was much better in the Cremonese game . He was involved a lot. Unlike previous games where he had just one or two key moments to try and convert. This time there were several and he looked physically more like normal.
Think he was better when Fullkrug cam on to occupy the middle.
He has all the attributes to be one of the very best players in the world – but the pressure on him to change every game in which he plays for Milan is too intense. I’m afraid to say that with Milan and Serie A in their current reduced state, he’s a big fish hampered by swimming in a small pond. For his own development, and to allow Milan to create a new attack, maybe it’s time for him to go to a top European club. £90m minimum.
Leao is absolutely not a big fish in a small pond. His media PR is much bigger than his play on the pitch.
He is a small fish in a small pond.
If he was a big fish in a small pond there would be someone willing to take that big fish to a big pond but there isn’t anyone.
Saying £90 m minimum shows delusion. You’d probably get half that.
Enemy of progress
Leao is a big fish without doubt and he is in a big pond, Milan is no small pond, it’s quite unfortunate with the new management but Milan will evolve and take it’s place among European elite