Rafael Leao is preparing to say goodbye to AC Milan, with a new contender having emerged in the potential race to sign him.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Leao’s farewell is unlikely to happen before the World Cup, but these could be his ‘final days’ as a Milan player. Don’t be fooled by the launch of the new Rossoneri jersey for next season, where the forward is featured prominently.
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While until a few years ago, certain marketing decisions could be interpreted as interesting clues about a player’s permanence, that’s no longer the case. There’s him, there’s Luka Modric, there’s Christian Pulisic and they could all potentially leave for various reasons.
Leao’s time up
Leao in particular appears to be the one who, more than the others, has reached the end of his career with Milan. After an excellent first half of the season, obvious physical problems have set in, but that’s not the only explanation for the Portuguese’s decline.
The situation is further complicated by a move from the wing to the centre-forward role, which never really panned out. The tactical aspect is two-fold: beyond this, it’s not difficult to see how the team is more vulnerable to problems when out of possession when Rafa is on the pitch.
These are all considerations that have led the club to the decision to let the transfer market take its course. As a result of this, the number 10 is free to move elsewhere, should a suitable offer arrive.
Where from? Two possibilities stand out at the moment, although the World Cup could be a great boost (but also vice versa) and open up other possibilities. One door is Manchester United, a longtime admirer of Leao’s who have resurfaced in recent days.
Then there’s the one that emerged in the last few hours in Turkey, with one of Fenerbahçe’s presidential candidates – Hakan Safi – enquiring about the Portuguese. In reality, this too seems to be an interest that dates back to the past few weeks.
There are two issues surrounding the Fener option. The first concerns who wins the presidential elections, scheduled for June 6-7. The second is Rafa’s expensive salary. Meanwhile, Leao is waiting and perhaps hoping for Barcelona to come forward.
He is also wondering what will happen to him against Cagliari on Sunday evening, when he returns to the squad after his suspension. From what is leaking out of Milanello, he should be on the bench from minute one. Could it really be a sad farewell after seven years?
You guys are just writing Rubbish. No news to write anymore except Leao if Allegri had left him in his normal position will anyone be writing this garbage?
Instead of you journalist to hit the nail on its head by telling Allegri the truth you are all here targeting on Leao. Who amongst Milan player is better than him? Go watch all his old clips. Idiot people
Please, this kind of reasoning does not survive in here.
It might not, but the truth is bitter
He asks who among Milan players IS better than him, but then he tells us to watch OLD clips of Leao.
Should we watch old clips of Nkunku too? Nkunku has seasons that Leao can’t dream of. Should we watch Gimenez old clips?
Leao is so bad, but the person who signed him for us is infallible, but as for Nkunku, we don’t just castigate him, we bash who signed him for us.
In your face y’all, Maldini signed Leao, so if he’s crap, so is Il Capitano.
Hey R apist, Maldini lives in your head rent free huh?. Never saw you giving credit to Maldini for anything- i understand why. But you want to blame him because Leao became useless-your coksuking employer made Leao garbage.
Maldini brought Leao and they won us Scudetto with Leao being the MVP. So that’s wrong by your standard? We all know how Leao has this tremendous potential. Whether he’ll deliver it or not in the end it’s not up to the sporting director. Moreover if that someone isn’t here anymore.
He can easily be sold 1-2 seasons ago with a high valuation. So that’s Maldini’s fault too? When a theory mixed with personal hatred, it isn’t even worth a keyboard writing.
He’s mentally challenged. Ignore him
Now that’s a Leao level club and a league.
Leao was really good on the wing and shouldn’t be judged on his production as a 9 BUT he can be judged on his loss of burst(he doesn’t look the same) and whether that will come back or not. If he doesn’t have his speed then he isn’t a game changer anymore.
Leao just isn’t the same anymore. And it’s not only his position. He can barely get pass one defender even when on his flank, let alone run the pitch length with the ball as he used to.
Several members with a half of logic already said that too many times. Always complaining about his position. Where we can clearly see he doesnt have that explosiveness anymore. More than physical reaons (injury etc), it’s about his mental state as well.
That’s why I said his natural cycle has came to an end with Milan. Don’t push it. Let it go. Life goes on.
I agree. While in the past he carried the team on a few occasions and certainly was our biggest threat upfront, he is just not the same and surely never reached his full potential like we all thought he could. Selling him now is just ( maybe 1 or 2 years late for max proffits). I hope they find the right replacement though.
Yup we can still remember the days when he was on the field and the feeling we’re sure that he’d come with something to change the game. And it’s not like that anymore.
I sincerely hope that he can find his sparks again with the change of scenery.
Leao always had only speed and explosivity, including some dribbling skills. Now when he lost that speed due to injuries, he is a trash player so to speak. That is what happens to all players who base their game on their speed. Look at Modric for example, he can play until 50 because he always used his brain more than ‘legs’ during his career. Leao plays his natural position for Portugal national team as well, and he is trash there as well. I am using word ‘trash’ because the word ‘sh*t’ is not allowed.
How can you play someone out of position and blame him for underperformance? Leo that won the scudetta is completely different from the one we are seeing today, but the coach must take the portion of the blame. It time for Milan to sell him.
It’s not like he’s being moved to CB or something. Too many cases we see (great) winger performing as good when moved to CF, vice versa. Great players learn and adapt.
And the problem is beyond his position. We just can’t see his usual sparks. We can talk all day about whose fault is that, or we just have to agree every party takes part. The point is that there’s no use on making this problem any longer. On to the next one.
From injury in lecce game i think last year or even 2 years ago he is not the same.
I agree I would sell him
and now we could expect only little money for him. I said before start of the season that the best option was to sell Leao.
.
but Ibra and Tare were decided. and there is no any single throphy. ashame.
After 10 years Gvardiola left City and guy change england and city football at all.
Time is Leao go love you him or not,judge him or not, time is for his career go and take new step.
I hope he will go at England and try play football there.At the end we can exchange him with Zirkze and Onana