Rafael Leao’s tenure at AC Milan is approaching a natural ending, or at least so it seems, and his agent is reportedly already working on a new adventure.
Last night’s display was incredibly symbolic of Leao’s recent years at Milan. In the first half, he was played as a centre-forward in the 4-3-3 formation and unsurprisingly didn’t have any success. However, even when moved to left-wing for the second half, he continued to struggle.
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At one point, the No.10 even took off his shin pads and walked off the pitch as he believed Milan were subbing him off. The only problem was that it was actually Udinese that were making a sub, taking off Nicolo Zaniolo who was brilliant on the night.
Barcelona idea back on the table
According to Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com, the feeling is that Leao’s tenture at Milan is coming to a natural end. The Rossoneri have considered renewing his contract to protect the investment, with the current deadline set in 2028, and that’s a sign of things moving in the background.
It’s no coincidence, as Longo continues, that the Barcelona rumours have resurfaced in recent months. Leao’s agent Jorge Mendes is ‘obsessed’ with the idea of bringing his client to the Catalan side, so much so that talks have been held with the president Joan Laporta.
It will depend on whether Barcelona will exercise the €30m buy-out option for Marcus Rashford, and of course how much Milan will demand for their start. Would €50m be enough for the Rossoneri to say yes? Maybe not, but the idea of selling him isn’t so remote.
give us Bernal, Araujo and Gerard Martin in swap deal!
I’d exchange you for nothing. Please become a fan of any other club. If is embarrassing to have people like you rooting for the same club as me…
No thanks… Furlani need some money. 50m please..
I wouldn’t be surprised if he excels at Barca.
As disappointing as it would be to see him go it does feel like things have reached a natural ending.
This DOES happen.
Not every 5 minutes like we see at Milan with nearly every single player reaching a ‘natural ending’s’, but it does happen.
The conditions for success are many – far more innumerate than some of the inane comments on here about 433 v 352 v ‘they all need to be sacked, sold or humiliated”.
If it was easy to work out the solutions (as easy as all the geniuses on here with their simple, hate filled solutions) then football or life would not be that interesting.
There has been a shocking lack of appreciation shown to Leao (and the rest) of their contributions to the club – the club that the people on here allegedly support.
If he does go then I, personally, will be eternally grateful. And wish him every success at Barcelona.
He will absolutely excel at Barca and good luck to him if he goes. I got attacked on here the other week for trying to explain to YouTube football fans why he was a better player when we had Tonali and Kessie – apparently I was wrong and he’s just lazy 🤷🏻♂️
He’s kill it at Barca with their system and numerous points of reference, but so would anybody else. Not to mention Spanish teams don’t play defense at all, aside from Atlético. If players want to score goals, they go to Spain where it is much easier. Whenever players from Spain come to Italy, they struggle. It’s much harder here. Italy is where strikers are truly tested.
If I was in charge, I wouldn’t let him go and slap everyone who insists on using him as a CF. But if it’d be inevitable use the money to bring back Tonali.
But unfortunately I am not.
Despite his stats showing couch experts here wrong, being played out of position and dragging an injury this season I also think it’s the end of his natural cycle with us. Although I believe there’s not much he can surprise with anymore considering he’s in his prime, he can still repeat his best seasons display. But he probably needs change of environment to do so.
What stats are those that show that the couch experts, that I bet you play as well, are wrong ?
God, let’s hope so. He is cancer for us.
Wish him the best but it’s the right move for everyone if he moves on.
Barcelona have been using Rashford as a striker in many games.
He isn’t benching Raphinha.
Sell that lazy inconsistent player ASAP. Small player who think he is an icon. He is no where near worthy of the number 10 shirt.
People here keeps on talking about him being put on wrong position, while Allegri use him as striker so that he has less and less defensive duty. And when he’s being put on his main LW position, he hasn’t got back that explosiveness and pace to beat his opponents, after that on and off injury. And that keeps happening for months now. It’s weird situation. Moreover for our highest paid player (that’s also why Allegri has that ‘obligation’ tp keep playing him).
So I think if we want to continue our journey with Allegri, then Leao will be better off sold.
Leao reach his limit. Can let him go
The bitter truth is Leao doesn’t beat opposition on one one anymore since he has lost his pace. I can’t give a count of the times it happend against Udinesse. Even when he move to his natural position, his impact was hardly felt.
What most people seems not to understand is Allegri put Leao in central striker role where he needs less running and gradually get back to full fitness. But up till now, we are still missing the spark.
My honest opinion, Leao is lazy. If not, he would have gotten over that by now or adjust his game. Christiano Ronaldo move from wing to central striker and still score goals. There are other wingers thriving in such situations.
It is high time Leao get back to be the decisive player we are familiar with or find another club. We are tired.
In as much as I really love Leao and would love to keep him, but the kind of winger we need right now is one typically like Rashford who doesn’t showboat nor play to gallery, purely direct to goal and having started as a CF, he’s never shy running into to box.
I think if we make the sacrifice of letting Leao leave, which in my humble opinion I think would be better for the team as we were playing much better without him, him being played as a CF opens up another conversation altogether, but comon, let’s not kid ourselves, even when playing his natural position, lack of consistency and drive has always been a tag on him.
I would be super glad if his replacement would be Rashford, he’s a serious footballer and I believe, if he receives the kind of treatment and environment the club gives to Leao, he will tear the league apart, especially if he can find that 2022/2023 form.
Rashford knows how to score goals and would be a constant feature in my team if I were to coach.
Quote of the day: rashford, hes serious footballer. Yess i agree with this.. nowadays its rare definitely serious footballer ..
Even 40 millions will be enough, Barça aren’t enough stupid to bring Leia.
Lets go furlani will open the table… I think barca will go to leao than rashford. His salary its huge than leao…
It is pretty obvious my dear milanisti friends.
If leao will change his approach; show drive, energy and commitment; use his brains wisely ( if he has any!!!); play 90+ minutes in every game and not sleep for 85 minutes; stop his habit of going past 3/4 defenders and then slip or kick the ball in the stands; stop his stupid grin; and limit his outside interest in fashion and music – if he does all this he will be a hit with barca or real or psg or man city or man utd or liverpool.
If he remains the leao of 2024, 2025 and 2926 then he will be a complete and utter flop.