AC Milan have no intentions of selling Rafael Leao, and Massimiliano Allegri has already held a chat with him.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write that for a defensive coach, it is strange that the player elected as the symbol for the new era is Leao. Allegri is actually looking for a renewed balance and will want to combine the solidity of the defence (lacking last season) with Rafa’s deadly counter-attacks.
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Max chats with Rafa
The Portuguese will become the Milan player with the longest tenure: he has been a Rossonero since 2019. Matteo Gabbia’s loan spell to Villarreal means his isn’t a continuous tenancy.
The No.10 will thus be a technical leader and a man from whom Max expects growth off the pitch as well. Allegri and Leao discussed everything, from his position in the future 4-3-3 to his active participation in the life of the team, in the first phone call between coach and player.
Allegri felt that he was instantly involved, and ready for the definitive leap in quality. After the Scudetto season, Rafa has too often lacked continuity, ups and downs that the coach wants to transform into a constant line of growth.
Tare was also surprised by Leao’s enthusiasm: “From the outside you might have a different opinion but when you get to know him you find a very competitive guy, with his questions he wanted to understand how the team will be strengthened. He is a true champion, in today’s football few decide matches alone like he does. He hasn’t shown everything he is capable of yet.”
It is potential, still unexpressed, that Bayern Munich or Saudi clubs would have bet on. For Milan Rafa is ‘a precious diamond’, worth at least €100m – aprice that is equivalent to declaring him unsellable.
Is he ready to track back and help the defense and learn how to pass and play as a team?
Allegri teams r sit back and counter. Leao will be the key this season