In a recent interview with Give Me Sport, journalist Carlo Garganese mentioned that Chelsea are set to rival Real Madrid for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao. Garganese said,
“Leão’s contract runs out in 2024. Chelsea, they’re still in touch, they’re one of the main clubs, but they’re not the only club that are interested in him.
“Real Madrid are also interested in him as well.”
Leao’s Excellent Form At San Siro This Season
Leao has enjoyed a decent campaign with AC Milan after he put in a handful of fruitful displays on the left side of their attack. The Portuguese wing wizard has banged in eight goals and grabbed ten assists in 27 matches for both his club and country this season in all competitions.
The 23-year-old has been a reliable performer for the Milan giants down the left flank as he is averaging 3.6 shots, 1.6 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per 90 minutes in Serie A. He has even been careful when interchanging possession with others around him after completing 79.4% of his attempted passes in the top tier of Italian football (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at San Siro will expire in 2024. Hence, the Blues might have a good chance of recruiting him next summer.
Should Chelsea Head Coach Graham Potter Snap Leao Up?
Leao can put his pace to good use when dribbling with the ball out on the flanks. He can be quite effective when left isolated in a 1v1 foot chase with the opposition. Leao mainly functions as a left-sided wide player but can also operate as a striker down the middle if his manager asks him to do so.
The Portugal international can create a few promising opportunities for his teammates to score. He can even chip in by scoring his fair share of goals in the final third.
At the moment, Leao is playing at the top of his game and would no doubt enhance the quality of Graham Potter’s starting XI at Stamford Bridge. At 23, he will only get better in the coming seasons which makes him a decent fit for the Blues to consider next year.
The 12-time Portugal international is well-equipped to make an instant impact at the West London club and could help Chelsea compete for some top honours over the next decade. Therefore, it makes sense for Potter to try everything in his power to snap Leao up at the end of this campaign.
