Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano has offered some insight on Rafael Leao’s excellent start to the new year and also the form of fellow winger Samuel Chukwueze.
There is no doubting that Leao seems to have turned a corner in 2024, given that he has played 17 games for club and country since the turn of the year, scoring seven goals and adding six assists.
The Portuguese winger scored a goal in a 5-2 win over Sweden on Thursday night and has been allowed to leave his national team early, as have Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.
It seems that Roberto Martinez had an agreement with some of the top players of Portugal, and he will use Tuesday’s match in Slovenia to take a look at those who still need to convince him.
In a report fro Sky, Di Stefano (via Radio Rossonera) analysed the current moment at Milan focusing in particular on two individuals, namely Leao and Chukwueze who operate on the left and right respectively.
Rafael Leao’s 2024 has been, so far, practically perfect. Six goals with Milan, one – the most recent – for the national team, a year after the last one. In total there are seven goals in just under three months for Milan’s No.10, who had his biggest flaw in his lack of scoring frequency,” he said.
“Plays, assists, but few, very few goals. And instead the trend has changed lately, both with the Rossoneri and with Portugal.
“It is precisely for this reason perhaps, and because the many matches played and that he will play in the season, and because it will not be necessary to convince his coach, that he has been sent home, he like many other top starters of Portugal.
“Now, a few days of rest granted by Pioli and from Monday back to Milanello for the final sprint. A sprint for which Milan hopes that Samuel Chukwueze will also sign up for, perhaps the real weak link in the Rossoneri’s latest summer transfer market.
“The Nigerian, for now, has not convinced despite the three goals, two of which were in the Champions League. But it is reasonable to expect much more from this boy who, with the Villarreal shirt in recent seasons, had attracted the attention of half of Europe and who has, up to now, disappointed expectations in Milan.
“Few matches played and few high-level performances. Now it’s up to him , in the next 60 days, to make the skeptics change their minds and turn his season around. He will have chances, it will only depend on his performance.”
