A Talent Too Big to Bench
There is a paradox at the heart of Milan’s season, and its name is Rafael Leão. The Portuguese forward is the club’s most electrifying talent, a player capable of winning games on his own, yet somehow finds himself in and out of the starting XI.
His latest cameo—a decisive performance off the bench against Lecce—was a reminder of his ability to change games at will. He played a part in two of Milan’s three goals, just as he did against Empoli and Verona last month. His influence is clear: when Leão runs at tired defences, there are few in world football who can stop him.
And yet, Milan continue to treat him as an optional luxury rather than an essential pillar. There is a growing sense that his time in red and black is becoming a cycle of frustration—for the player, the fans, and perhaps even the club itself. As reported by Calciomercato.
A History of Doubts
From the moment he arrived, Leão has been a subject of debate. His critics see a player who drifts through games, who lacks the intensity of a leader. His defenders argue that Milan have never fully harnessed his potential—that their inconsistency as a club is reflected in the way they treat their most naturally gifted star.
It is no secret that Milan’s last two managers have taken a hardline approach with Leão. Paulo Fonseca justified his decision to drop him by claiming it was part of a strategy to motivate him. His successor, Sérgio Conceição, initially praised Leão publicly before adopting a similar approach.
If there is a strategy, it is difficult to decipher. A team struggling for form cannot afford to sideline its best player, yet that is precisely what Milan have done. Is this a tactical experiment gone wrong, or a sign of deeper cracks in the club’s philosophy?
What Next for Leão and Milan?
One thing is clear: Leão is an asset Milan cannot afford to mismanage. Eighteen months ago, the club made him their highest-paid player, giving him the iconic No. 10 shirt. If he is truly central to their project, he needs to be treated like it.
Zlatan Ibrahimović has described him as one of the best players in the world, yet has been notably quiet on the way Milan have handled his playing time. Silence speaks volumes—and the uncertainty surrounding Leão’s future is growing.
Meanwhile, Chelsea and Barcelona have already expressed concrete interest, while his agent, Jorge Mendes, has been working on potential exit routes for months. If Milan intend to keep their star, they need to make it clear—not just with words, but with actions.
Does Milan have a long-term plan for Leão? If they do, they need to show it now—before it’s too late.
If you are a Chelsea fan, reading about Leão’s situation at Milan should prompt two very different reactions: excitement and scepticism.
On one hand, the idea of Chelsea signing a world-class, game-changing winger is undeniably appealing. Leão has all the attributes the club has lacked in recent years—pace, directness, and the ability to create something from nothing. If there is even a chance he could be available, Chelsea should be doing everything to make it happen.
But then, there’s the other side: does this transfer actually make sense?
Chelsea’s squad is already overloaded with inconsistent wingers and attacking midfielders. The likes of Mudryk, Neto and Madueke are still being integrated, and signing Leão—at a price that would likely exceed £80m—would only add to the chaos.
And then there’s the question of whether Milan’s concerns about him are valid. If Leão’s attitude and work rate are genuine issues, would he thrive in the Premier League’s relentless intensity? Or would he become another big-name signing who fails to reach expectations?
There’s no doubt that Leão is an incredible talent, but Chelsea fans have learned the hard way that talent alone isn’t always enough. If the club moves for him, it must be for the right reasons, not just because he’s available.
