Rafael Leao’s situation at Milan is becoming a paradox for the club as per Daniel Longo (via calciomercato.com).
It is not debated that Leao is Milan’s most talented and most decisive player. The Portuguese winger has decided games against Empoli, Hellas Verona and now Lecce in Milan’s favour over the month, coming off the bench on all occasions.
This raises the question as to whether he should be starting more games. The truth is despite his undeniable qualities, Leao is a name that has always raised a lot of discourse in Milan. At this point the club seem to have accepted that he will never be the most professional player or the most disciplined and hard working on the field. But the truth remains that no one in Milan can win them matches on their own like he can.
Paulo Fonseca left him on the bench a lot, in an attempt to almost entice the best out of him. Current manager Sergio Conceciao despite vocally praising his countryman a lot in initial days has now seemingly resorted to the same.
Milan know that Leao is an asset to them, commercially and on the field. That is why 18 months ago he was made the highest paid player in the side and given the #10 jersey. Given the unique situation, he needs to be dealt with carefully. This is what is done by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now a board member at the club but a former teammate of Leao’s. Zlatan has often said the Leao is among the best in the world and has distanced himself from the management in this regard.
Leao has seen his importance to the project lose prominence of late. Milan must clarify to him is position because as things stand, his agent Jorge Mendes is eager to sell him while Chelsea and Barcelona are monitoring the situation.
Kaulik Mitra | GIFN
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