Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano has spoken about why there is some frustration – both internally and externally – regarding Rafael Leao’s fluctuating performance levels.
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Milan’s financial position dictates that they do not need to sell any players unlike rivals and yet – as happened last year with Sandro Tonali – if huge offers arrive the club is willing not only to listen to them, but potentially to accept them.
Leao has been mentioned as one of those who could depart after a season in which he racked up 15 goals and 14 assists across all competitions. However, he was up and down during the campaign and he has a €175m release clause that it seems difficult for any club to touch.
What seems most likely is that the former Lille star stays under the incoming head coach Paulo Fonseca and hopefully unlocks a level of consistency that has been missing to this point.
Di Stefano spoke on Tutti Convocati on Radio 24 and focused on the Portuguese talent, lifting the lid on some of the things that are a cause for concern, with his comments relayed by Radio Rossonera.
“Milan are Leao and Theo dependent, without them they become a normal team. This is why he sometimes foments anger among the fans, because you see him against Napoli in the Champions League last year and you ask yourself: ‘But why does he play those matches and then not the following week’.
“Sometimes I read the GPS values, he goes from 9-10-11km per match, to matches in which he does much less. This is a mentality discussion, it is not a tactical discussion.”