If the first season was one of adjustment, then this season Milan are finally beginning to see consistency from one of their biggest recent investments.
As MilanNews writes, Leao has become somewhat of a secret weapon for Milan during his second season at the club, because he has been deployed in multiple roles and is finding the levels of continuity that were perhaps lacking in his debut campaign.
Stefano Pioli repeatedly challenged him in the media when he knew he could give more, but defended him when things weren’t going great and ultimately always trusted him. His tactical flexibility is decisive too, as the Portuguese starlet has shown that he can take up all roles on the attacking frontline.
What we have seen would suggest that Leao is better on the left wing, but in the last two games – given the absences of Brahim Diaz and Hakan Calhanoglu – he has shown that he can also play as a playmaker.
This season Leao has scored six goals and has amassed five assists. The report adds how the €35m spent by the management to buy him from Lille a year and a half ago is now starting to seem like much more of a worthwhile investment.
Paolo Maldini is convinced that he has a player in the squad who will become one of the best in Europe in years to come, and training with players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic is helping him a lot in his growth.
.@RafaeLeao7 🆚 Crotone
🤔 What would you give his performance out of 10?
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) February 8, 2021
Leao is the right Real Madrid stuff. So A.C. Milan have to decide whether to make a massive profit on him, selling, or nurturing him to beat Real Madrid with him and others who are in his league. I think I’d go with the latter option and that way get both the titles and the fame which in the end equal even more money.
Leao clearly has talent, its whether he has the drive and consistency that worries me. For all his promise I fear he will end up becoming another Pato. Plus in the current system he’s a jack of all trades master of none, he’s neither an out and out striker nor a winger. It’s very possible his best position is as second striker, whereas we play only 1 up top in 4231. Let’s keep him for now but if a huge bid came in for him, I’d sell and reinvest.
Pato was great but he was often injured. That was what destroyed his time in Milan. If Leao can keep himself from serious injuries, I believe that he will become one of the best player in the world. I hope Milan will keep him.
He is good