Rafael Leao’s season so far suggests that he has turned a corner and has become the devastating, consistent player the fans and management hoped he would.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) writes how after two years of acclimatisation and of ups and downs, the Portuguese winger has very much changed pace in 2021-22 just as he does when he gets the ball on the right wing and runs at his man.
Leao has grown in just about all of the major numbers starting with goals: he has 9 in Serie A this season which already 3 more than those scored in both previous seasons. He has practically doubled the number of shots taken: 64 this season against 36 and 34 respectively in 2020-21 and 2019-20.
Above all he began to beat his man with consistency: he has 91 successful dribbles this season and last year he managed ‘only’ 41. It is an all-round explosion, which was certainly always possible given the potential of the former Lille man was never doubted.
Leao has also grown in the non-possession phase as this campaign he has recovered 86 balls which is about 20 more than last year, and it should be noted that there are still 4 games to go.
Great but still lack final pass and assists for goal monsters like Ibra and Giroud.
Hope he will grow his final decisions for shoots and passes. For example Berardi on the right wing has double digits in assists and goals.
Yep. One of the best dribblers in the league but still contributes way less than “slow” and static players (e.g. Berardi). There is a reason for that too. Poor decision making and poor end product.
He grown up a lot and made big contributions. But some fans wants Milan to sell Leao asap just because he didn’t made the same amount of goals / assist like Berardi or Moh Salah lmao 😂
Honestly, i’m glad Maldini/Masara/Moncada are the one who managed Milan and not some armchair analysts who thinks they have a lot of knowledge about managing a football club based on how well they played a video game lol.
There is still room for improvement. I don’t like that Leao looks lazy and bored in some matches but it’s obvious that he has great potential. The big reason to sell Leao is to cash in case he is the next money guy. Already lost Fackan Chalma Oglu, Dollaruma , Keshie, Romagnoli for free. I think it’s time to take the cash if he doesn’t want to sign new contract!
Milan offered new contracts + increase salary to Dollaruma, Hakan, Romagnoli, and Cashie but they asked more money beyond what they can do and choose to leave. So there’s nothing Milan can do at those points.
Leao still have a contract until 2024 and Milan can work out for a renewal. The guy clearly wants to renew but the lawsuit with Sporting Lisbon needs to be done first.
Hope that’s the case, but don’t want to loose player like him for free. It’s not a good trend.
Well said
Well said @ F3n is what I meant…
Apologies! I meant well said @ ForzaMilan! Lol. I don’t think Leao is lazy at all. But yes he must improve his finishing and I believe he will esp if we get him proper support in a quality RW, CAM and striker. Give him time he is still under contract another 2 years and agreed until his lawsuit is cleared up it’s difficult for anyone to play through that. Remember Mo Sala wasn’t a do I shed product at 22 yrs of age and neither is Leao…