‘Doubts are even stronger’ – Longoni questions whether Leao can be Milan’s striker

Rafael Leao has been reported to be the man Massimiliano Allegri trusts to lead his AC Milan team forward. Can he be central literally, though?

Working Leao out is a difficult one. Many managers have tried it before, and there are several who probably wish to do so. However, it is proving to be a task bigger than a dream at this point. There is no denying his quality, but it’s where he can reach the next level.

He is the star in the Milan team; there is no questioning that. However, there is a belief held that he can go past being great and become one of the best in the world.

Leao’s future

Paulo Fonseca, Sergio Conceicao, and now Allegri have all had different ideas, the latest of which being to play him as a striker. His performance against Juventus did not show someone ready for that position.

Andrea Longoni, this afternoon, wrote a column for Calciomercato.com about the situation and why doubts are in place.

“A huge, incandescent chapter is opening up, which will surely be discussed during the break: his name is Rafa Leao. Can he be AC ​​Milan’s number 9?

“I had some doubts in the summer. I kept him on board along the way since he didn’t play, and after yesterday, perhaps the doubts are even stronger. The two goals he missed are significant. A centre-forward can’t miss certain opportunities: you have to score at least one of the two, but the Portuguese missed on both occasions.

“One of the cornerstones of Allegri’s tactical plan, namely the use of Leao as a number 9, is still up for debate.  We’ll see the answers after the break, but the awareness remains that to do that job, Rafa still has a lot of hard work to do and a lot of learning to do.

“He needs to be more aggressive and hungry on the pitch, something he’s been criticised for his entire life. Overall, however, the glass is almost full: after facing Napoli and Juve, finding himself two points off first place isn’t bad at all.”