Rafael Leao

[Markolan]

Non-penalty goal contributions in the least 5 years (league only):

- Bukayo Saka: 91 (42 goals + 49 assists, many from CKs)
- Rafael Leao: 93 (50 goals + 43 assists. Leao don't take set pieces, M.United have fantastic players already for that. So all the assists came from open-plays)

Bukayo Saka comments: "World class player", "€150m winger", "Ballon d'Or contender" "With him we'd be competitive for the Premier League"
Rafael Leao comments: "Worse that Rashford" "Lazy shite mf" "He wouldn't start for Bournemouth" "Is he worth £30m?"

It's clear Saka is a better player because he's Premier League proven but this is the perfect moment to sign Rafael Leao.
His stocks have infact been massively dropped mainly due to Allegri tactics that forced to play him out of role: Striker in the 3-5-2, a decision that clipped Leao's wings..
What I just wrote is confidemed by the amount of assists he made in the last 5 years: 43! shared as it follows: 10-10-10-10 and only 3 this past season... TEN- TEN- TEN- TEN -THREE!! Went from guaranteeing 10 assists a-season to 3 because as forward in the 3-5-2 he couldn't do anymorehis trademark move which is the 1 on 1 duel vs the opposite RB.

Signing Rafael Leao for €50m now might be best business of the summer (his current wage at AC Milan is £180 k a-week, I don't know M.United wage structure)

 

[DJ_21]

If he’s going for 50m or less then that’s a bargain and an opportunity we should be taking. He’ll be Rashfords replacement.

 

[WelshManc]

Wouldn't want him to be honest. I feel like there's better, younger options out there that are also not Premier League proven. Never been impressed when watching him for Portugal, which I try to do a lot of.

 

[Reyoji-Utd]

I think the consensus is that he has the talents and abilities but not consistent. A bit like Dembele when PSG gamble on him. He is a Gamble that needs someone or a new environment to extract those extras from him for him to fulfill his potential. I really don’t know if the gamble is worth it or not, leave it to United to calculate it and act upon it.

 

[2 man midfield]

Non-penalty goal contributions in the least 5 years (league only):

- Bukayo Saka: 91 (42 goals + 49 assists, many from CKs)
- Rafael Leao: 93 (50 goals + 43 assists. Leao don't take set pieces, M.United have fantastic players already for that. So all the assists came from open-plays)

Bukayo Saka comments: "World class player", "€150m winger", "Ballon d'Or contender" "With him we'd be competitive for the Premier League"
Rafael Leao comments: "Worse that Rashford" "Lazy shite mf" "He wouldn't start for Bournemouth" "Is he worth £30m?"

It's clear Saka is a better player because he's Premier League proven but this is the perfect moment to sign Rafael Leao.
His stocks have infact been massively dropped mainly due to Allegri tactics that forced to play him out of role: Striker in the 3-5-2, a decision that clipped Leao's wings..
What I just wrote is confidemed by the amount of assists he made in the last 5 years: 43! shared as it follows: 10-10-10-10 and only 3 this past season... TEN- TEN- TEN- TEN -THREE!! Went from guaranteeing 10 assists a-season to 3 because as forward in the 3-5-2 he couldn't do anymorehis trademark move which is the 1 on 1 duel vs the opposite RB.

Signing Rafael Leao for €50m now might be best business of the summer (his current wage at AC Milan is £180 k a-week, I don't know M.United wage structure)

Nobody on here really rates Saka either

 

[Acrobat7]

Signing Rafael Leao for €50m now might be best business of the summer (his current wage at AC Milan is £180 k a-week, I don't know M.United wage structure)

I see Milan fans are already hyping him up to increase the price.

 

[Bwuk]

No. But, not to tout my own horn to much, I have a very decent eye for players and especially wingers. I was present during the U21 Euros and claimed Özil was better than Kaka that was still in his late prime. I saw young Boateng (Hamburg), Vidal (Leverkusen), Reus (M'Gladbach), Kroos (17 y/o debut), Heung Min Son (Hamburg), Neuer (Schalke), Müller (Bayern), Sané (Schalke) and so on. I raved about them before anyone knew the guys from the "Farmers League".

My friends derided me non stop. They looked at me like Maradona looked at Müller. And then, one or two years later, everyone came back, apologized and started to say that from now on they would trust every word of mine regarding talent.

I was one of the earliest (if not the earliest) to hype Doue at this forum. I hyped him in April 2025 and going back I think only myself and 2-3 posters mentioned him at all in this forum.

And regarding Leao I have seen things that can not be taught. Height, speed, agility, dribbling, shot. I don't think he will fulfill his potential but if he did... That is a scary thought. But my honest assessment is that he probably is a bit like Leroy Sané. Or pre-Enrique-Dembelé. The potential is endless. Question is if someone can get it out of them consistently.

Cunha is not as talented as Leao. He might have a better career. Both can be true. If you can't see it or comprehend it you might not know a lot about football or judging talent.

Quaresma was fantastic technically and its true he never had Ronaldos dedication. But people forget Ronaldos physique that is very different to Quaresmas rather ordinary physique. Ronaldo is 1.86, super fast, jumps super high, two footed and was really rapid.

Fantastic job shouting and praising Desire Doue almost a season after PSG had paid 50m for him and he’d started in CL semi finals.

 

[Mcking]

Hold width, receive the ball stationary or on the run, square up the full back, faint to cut inside onto his stronger foot, goes on the outside instead, deliver a good or poor ball across with his weaker foot. Rinse and repeat.

 

[Rozay]

I think we can all say we can see talent, don’t be breaking your own arm patting yourself on the back their mate.

Re the Leao / Cuhna comparison I’d take a Cuhna who scores consistently in Ability, Attitude AND Application over Leao who may indeed score a little higher in ability and lower in the other two.

We’ve been here before with this scenario ‘if only we had a manager who could unlock all that potential’. Sancho immediately springs to mind. Firm no from me

The Caf nerds were on this forum at this very time last season with their ‘data’ saying how Cunha ‘walked too much’ and after they take the time to watch him weekly - he’s praised for his hard work. But I will remind people that the very same concerns were raised repeatedly about Cunha’s work rate on here.

 

[Robbie Boy]

No. But, not to tout my own horn to much, I have a very decent eye for players and especially wingers. I was present during the U21 Euros and claimed Özil was better than Kaka that was still in his late prime. I saw young Boateng (Hamburg), Vidal (Leverkusen), Reus (M'Gladbach), Kroos (17 y/o debut), Heung Min Son (Hamburg), Neuer (Schalke), Müller (Bayern), Sané (Schalke) and so on. I raved about them before anyone knew the guys from the "Farmers League".

My friends derided me non stop. They looked at me like Maradona looked at Müller. And then, one or two years later, everyone came back, apologized and started to say that from now on they would trust every word of mine regarding talent.

I was one of the earliest (if not the earliest) to hype Doue at this forum. I hyped him in April 2025 and going back I think only myself and 2-3 posters mentioned him at all in this forum.

And regarding Leao I have seen things that can not be taught. Height, speed, agility, dribbling, shot. I don't think he will fulfill his potential but if he did... That is a scary thought. But my honest assessment is that he probably is a bit like Leroy Sané. Or pre-Enrique-Dembelé. The potential is endless. Question is if someone can get it out of them consistently.

Cunha is not as talented as Leao. He might have a better career. Both can be true. If you can't see it or comprehend it you might not know a lot about football or judging talent.

Quaresma was fantastic technically and its true he never had Ronaldos dedication. But people forget Ronaldos physique that is very different to Quaresmas rather ordinary physique. Ronaldo is 1.86, super fast, jumps super high, two footed and was really rapid.

We have a successor to @LuckyScout78

 

[Red Pumpkin]

I think we can all say we can see talent, don’t be breaking your own arm patting yourself on the back their mate.

Re the Leao / Cuhna comparison I’d take a Cuhna who scores consistently in Ability, Attitude AND Application over Leao who may indeed score a little higher in ability and lower in the other two.

We’ve been here before with this scenario ‘if only we had a manager who could unlock all that potential’. Sancho immediately springs to mind. Firm no from me

Fair enough.

So you were tooting your own horn about being wrong?

No. This was just prior to Özil making the move to Real and benching Kaka.

So don't say Cunha can't lace his boots.

If Adama Traore achieved his potential, that is a scary thought. There's lot's of scary thoughts in the footballing graveyard.

He as well has attributes that can not be thought. Also, Cunha is a better dribbler - not as fast, so may not always get away from the defender as quickly, but I'm pretty sure if he were in any other league, he'd be faster than most.

Adama Traore is not close to Leao. Cunha is not a better dribbler. Leao mogs both.

Fantastic job shouting and praising Desire Doue almost a season after PSG had paid 50m for him and he’d started in CL semi finals.

This was well before the semis. People in France knew of him. Barely anybody at this forum knew of him. Even a while after people here were still wanking over Barcola rather than Doue.

We have a successor to @LuckyScout78

Well, this seems to have riled up a few.

 

[Escobar]

I just dont see it with him. Too hit and miss and we know how little the Serie A numbers mean

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

Leao in 2022 was one of the best wingers in the world. Outstanding physical ability and 1v1 take on ability.

If he’s £50m or less we should just get him. He has the tools to level up in the PL.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Fair enough.

No. This was just prior to Özil making the move to Real and benching Kaka.

Adama Traore is not close to Leao. Cunha is not a better dribbler. Leao mogs both.

This was well before the semis. People in France knew of him. Barely anybody at this forum knew of him. Even a while after people here were still wanking over Barcola rather than Doue.

Well, this seems to have riled up a few.

You're a prophet mate. We all respect that.

 

[Cee90]

Surprised about the negative reaction to this.

I think he’s a really good player.

 

[DWelbz19]

You're a prophet mate. We all respect that.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Leao in 2022 was one of the best wingers in the world. Outstanding physical ability and 1v1 take on ability.

If he’s £50m or less we should just get him. He has the tools to level up in the PL.

Lots of players had promise 4 years ago.

Delle Alli is still a good age.

I think someone broke into Leao’s van and took all his tools.

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

Lots of players had promise 4 years ago.

Delle Alli is still a good age.

I think someone broke into Leao’s van and took all his tools.

Touché.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

He seems to be a less technically gifted version of Rashford who also doesn't press apparently

Feels an odd choice

 

[Red Pumpkin]

Surprised about the negative reaction to this.

I think he’s a really good player.

Same here... Wondering if people actually don't rate him or if they never watch football that isn't the EPL or UCL. There are tons of talented players in Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Eredivisie, Russian Premier League, Mexican League and so on that are better than players at La Liga or EPL. Not on average of course but there are definitely a few guys here and there that could transfer and immediately make an impact.

 

[dogwithabone]

I haven’t really seen enough of him but sometimes these sort of gambles pay huge dividends - players like Henry and Salah weren’t in huge demand and had mixed career paths before they found the right fit and took off.

 

[devilish]

What Milan fans think of him

He's finally getting off the hook and going to get his pants taken off in some other country.
Two years late, but better late than never.

He decides when to stay, he decides when to leave. We've created a monster who raves about omnipotence.

Go, try a new adventure on the bench in the Premier League or as a starter in Saudi Arabia.

Seven years treated like a Ballon d'Or winner..

All right, thanks for everything, bye, bring at least 20 million. If you haven't received an offer yet, thanks for devaluing your price tag like that. Go away, catwalk star.

This year will be a total demobilization.

I can't wait to see you in the Al Ittihad highlights.
Saudi Arabia is the right league where you can still do something despite your zero intensity. A sprint (at half the pace of before), then ten minutes of walking and zero intensity without the ball, then another sprint, then five minutes of recovery out of breath, then he tries a play but loses it, then another five minutes of walking out of breath to recover from the attempted play...
Very strong from 2021 to 2023, even if he was one-dimensional since he could only do one thing, after which he stopped being able to do even that. From what we've seen since 2023, frankly, no regrets.

Beyond this last embarrassing season, no one wants to be at this Milan anymore, I first of all don't want to be there anymore, let alone the players

https://www.milanworld.net/threads/...-dato-tutto-ora-una-nuova-sfida.161735/page-2

 

[Buster15]

Nobody on here really rates Saka either

Quite right

 

[Rolaholic]

From a few weeks back



That was before he asked out, maybe the price can be negotiated down

 

[pascell]

From a few weeks back



That was before he asked out, maybe the price can be negotiated down

We'd be vastly overpaying for that much.

 

[Frank White]

From a few weeks back



That was before he asked out, maybe the price can be negotiated down

Market for a player with his weaknesses can't be that big? Assume he's on a decent wage too, so that will probably make the list even smaller. Probably rule out the top Prem sides, maybe Newcastle with the Gordon money but even then they have Barnes who probably fills that slot more seamlessly. Might be Turkey or Saudi bound for him which would be a shame.

 

[Cassidy]

He has all the ability. Its weather or not we think he has the drive, and our coaching team can help him take that next step. He is a potentially an unplayable winger in my opinion. But for whatever reason (and most is going to be down to him) he seems a little lazy and lacking desire to take over and take responsibility to take over a game. Milan were bad this season granted.

Id prefer someone on a better trajectory but I do have to say there are not alot of player with his toolset and whoever can unlock him will have a serious player on their hands

I saw someone mention pre Enrique Dembele and its probably a very good comp. Issue is do we have an Enrique? Also Demebele was also hampered by injuries where as Leao seems to be hampered by his own drive and desire.

 

[pcaming]

He’s not worth big money that’s for sure.

 

[izec]

He was great a couple of years back. Since then i havent seen or heard much of him, but it seems he regressed. There is a high risk involved, but for a low fee and Bruno, Dalot, Mateus, Ederson (hopefully both) and Cunha around, they can keep him in check and can bring him to perform in this environment. But yes, big question marks.

 

[dinostar77]

Non-penalty goal contributions in the least 5 years (league only):

- Bukayo Saka: 91 (42 goals + 49 assists, many from CKs)
- Rafael Leao: 93 (50 goals + 43 assists. Leao don't take set pieces, M.United have fantastic players already for that. So all the assists came from open-plays)

Bukayo Saka comments: "World class player", "€150m winger", "Ballon d'Or contender" "With him we'd be competitive for the Premier League"
Rafael Leao comments: "Worse that Rashford" "Lazy shite mf" "He wouldn't start for Bournemouth" "Is he worth £30m?"

It's clear Saka is a better player because he's Premier League proven but this is the perfect moment to sign Rafael Leao.
His stocks have infact been massively dropped mainly due to Allegri tactics that forced to play him out of role: Striker in the 3-5-2, a decision that clipped Leao's wings..
What I just wrote is confidemed by the amount of assists he made in the last 5 years: 43! shared as it follows: 10-10-10-10 and only 3 this past season... TEN- TEN- TEN- TEN -THREE!! Went from guaranteeing 10 assists a-season to 3 because as forward in the 3-5-2 he couldn't do anymorehis trademark move which is the 1 on 1 duel vs the opposite RB.

Signing Rafael Leao for €50m now might be best business of the summer (his current wage at AC Milan is £180 k a-week, I don't know M.United wage structure)

I think he would be a interesting signing. That's if he fitted into how carrick wants to play. If you want a team to press like PSG, Arsenal or Barcelona, then no you avoid him. I will caveat that with, Liverpool under klopp pressed alot and they had Salah in the team, who didn't.

Leao's lack of off the ball work has always been highlighted as a weakness. It's what ultimately stopped a move to Barcelona a few seasons back and they bought raplhinia instead.

However on the flip side he is one of those potential match winning players who can change a game. They are few and far between.

Comparisons with rashford are lazy. Prime Leao is a much better player, for one he can dribble and glide past players.

Leao needs to pick the right club for his next move, he could have a Dembele (PSG) like revival of his career.

He does remind me more of Semenyo more than rashford.

Well worth the gamble at £40mil. I'd have him at that price over Morgan Rogers at £85mil.

 

[Cassidy]

He was great a couple of years back. Since then i havent seen or heard much of him, but it seems he regressed. There is a high risk involved, but for a low fee and Bruno, Dalot, Mateus (hopefully) and Cunha around, they can keep him in check and can bring him to perform in this environment. But yes, big question marks.

A season long loan with option and Zirkzee going the other way would be a good bit of business. Gives us option to properly address it next summer and if hes a hit make it permanent.

 

[roonster09]

Fair enough.

No. This was just prior to Özil making the move to Real and benching Kaka.

Adama Traore is not close to Leao. Cunha is not a better dribbler. Leao mogs both.

This was well before the semis. People in France knew of him. Barely anybody at this forum knew of him. Even a while after people here were still wanking over Barcola rather than Doue.

Well, this seems to have riled up a few.

Hello Mr Scout with keen eye for young players that Caf never heard of, here is a thread on Doue, a year before your timeline.

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/desire-doue-joined-psg.482654/page-5

 

[Rozay]

I think he would be a interesting signing. That's if he fitted into how carrick wants to play. If you want a team to press like PSG, Arsenal or Barcelona, then no you avoid him. I will caveat that with, Liverpool under klopp pressed alot and they had Salah in the team, who didn't.

Leao's lack of off the ball work has always been highlighted as a weakness. It's what ultimately stopped a move to Barcelona a few seasons back and they bought raplhinia instead.

However on the flip side he is one of those potential match winning players who can change a game. They are few and far between.

Comparisons with rashford are lazy. Prime Leao is a much better player, for one he can dribble and glide past players.

Leao needs to pick the right club for his next move, he could have a Dembele (PSG) like revival of his career.

He does remind me more of Semenyo more than rashford.

Well worth the gamble at £40mil. I'd have him at that price over Morgan Rogers at £85mil.

All of this sums up my thoughts entirely.

 

[golden_blunder]

Non-penalty goal contributions in the least 5 years (league only):

- Bukayo Saka: 91 (42 goals + 49 assists, many from CKs)
- Rafael Leao: 93 (50 goals + 43 assists. Leao don't take set pieces, M.United have fantastic players already for that. So all the assists came from open-plays)

Bukayo Saka comments: "World class player", "€150m winger", "Ballon d'Or contender" "With him we'd be competitive for the Premier League"
Rafael Leao comments: "Worse that Rashford" "Lazy shite mf" "He wouldn't start for Bournemouth" "Is he worth £30m?"

It's clear Saka is a better player because he's Premier League proven but this is the perfect moment to sign Rafael Leao.
His stocks have infact been massively dropped mainly due to Allegri tactics that forced to play him out of role: Striker in the 3-5-2, a decision that clipped Leao's wings..
What I just wrote is confidemed by the amount of assists he made in the last 5 years: 43! shared as it follows: 10-10-10-10 and only 3 this past season... TEN- TEN- TEN- TEN -THREE!! Went from guaranteeing 10 assists a-season to 3 because as forward in the 3-5-2 he couldn't do anymorehis trademark move which is the 1 on 1 duel vs the opposite RB.

Signing Rafael Leao for €50m now might be best business of the summer (his current wage at AC Milan is £180 k a-week, I don't know M.United wage structure)

50m! Shuts door on salesman. Not today thanks!

How about a loan? If he turns out good we’ll sign him, if not then you can have him back

 

[Frank White]

I think he would be a interesting signing. That's if he fitted into how carrick wants to play. If you want a team to press like PSG, Arsenal or Barcelona, then no you avoid him. I will caveat that with, Liverpool under klopp pressed alot and they had Salah in the team, who didn't.

Leao's lack of off the ball work has always been highlighted as a weakness. It's what ultimately stopped a move to Barcelona a few seasons back and they bought raplhinia instead.

However on the flip side he is one of those potential match winning players who can change a game. They are few and far between.

Comparisons with rashford are lazy. Prime Leao is a much better player, for one he can dribble and glide past players.

Leao needs to pick the right club for his next move, he could have a Dembele (PSG) like revival of his career.

He does remind me more of Semenyo more than rashford.

Well worth the gamble at £40mil. I'd have him at that price over Morgan Rogers at £85mil.

Have you watched a lot of him then?

 

[Glorio]

Fair enough.

No. This was just prior to Özil making the move to Real and benching Kaka.

Adama Traore is not close to Leao. Cunha is not a better dribbler. Leao mogs both.

This was well before the semis. People in France knew of him. Barely anybody at this forum knew of him. Even a while after people here were still wanking over Barcola rather than Doue.

Well, this seems to have riled up a few.

"Mogs both" and he's in AC Milan in the Italian league (the same league where McTom is the POTY and Zirkzee and Rasmus have looked world class) with no serious club after him?

Internationally, he's best used for Portugal as a sub to run against tired defences.

Riled up a few? Yes, you're correct, because we've all watched him play! The only logical conclusion is I can make is perhaps you're a family member or his agent, as I honestly don't know how one can rate him so much.

Where I agree with you is he had bags of potential, but it just doesn't look like clicking, and I don't see the commitment to his game that suggests it will.

 

[Hardcastle]

Cunha can't tie Leaos shoes. I don't think I've seen ANY winger do what Leao is capable of since prime Bale. He has the height, speed and ability to absolutely rinse defenders. Barcola or Aubameyang a bit in the same mould but also a bit different more CF/hybrids.

The difference between Leao and Bale is that Gareth was a killer. Leao feels like the boy that never grew up. Or perhaps someone unwilling/lacking personality to accept being the main man week in week out. On ability Cunha is NOT close. If it's possible to get Leao to step up he is good for 20+20, his attributes scares the crap out of defences.

No. But, not to tout my own horn to much, I have a very decent eye for players and especially wingers. I was present during the U21 Euros and claimed Özil was better than Kaka that was still in his late prime. I saw young Boateng (Hamburg), Vidal (Leverkusen), Reus (M'Gladbach), Kroos (17 y/o debut), Heung Min Son (Hamburg), Neuer (Schalke), Müller (Bayern), Sané (Schalke) and so on. I raved about them before anyone knew the guys from the "Farmers League".

My friends derided me non stop. They looked at me like Maradona looked at Müller. And then, one or two years later, everyone came back, apologized and started to say that from now on they would trust every word of mine regarding talent.

I was one of the earliest (if not the earliest) to hype Doue at this forum. I hyped him in April 2025 and going back I think only myself and 2-3 posters mentioned him at all in this forum.

And regarding Leao I have seen things that can not be taught. Height, speed, agility, dribbling, shot. I don't think he will fulfill his potential but if he did... That is a scary thought. But my honest assessment is that he probably is a bit like Leroy Sané. Or pre-Enrique-Dembelé. The potential is endless. Question is if someone can get it out of them consistently.

Cunha is not as talented as Leao. He might have a better career. Both can be true. If you can't see it or comprehend it you might not know a lot about football or judging talent.

Quaresma was fantastic technically and its true he never had Ronaldos dedication. But people forget Ronaldos physique that is very different to Quaresmas rather ordinary physique. Ronaldo is 1.86, super fast, jumps super high, two footed and was really rapid.

Is this some sort of wind up/satire?

Absolutely no one cares what your mates think of your ability to tell that some very obviously talented players were talented. Leao is barely standing out in quite possible the worst Series A in history, his statistical profile is nothing special and his output, both physical and productivity wise is completely unremarkable. His top recorded speed is 36.5kph which whilst quick wouldn't put him in the top 3 in the PL and is about as quick as Mbeumo and his stats for actual ground covered per 90 is poor.

Leao will end up in Turkey, which is about his level.

 

[mavric]

We need to give Leao a wide berth. He does not do standard defensive work. If you expect a modern, two-way winger who triggers an aggressive high-press or tracks an overlapping fullback deep into his own box, he will drive you crazy. Like Rashford, he utilizes an "energy conservation" model. Because he lacks elite natural stamina, he completely switches off defensively to save his lung capacity for high-speed counter-attacks. If the team’s overall structure is struggling or the midfield isn't completely dominant, his defensive coasting turns him into a massive liability. He ranks in the bottom 2% of European wingers for defensive actions, tackles, and recoveries. He also require careful volume management. If Carrick tries to play him for 90 minutes twice a week in the intense, high-pressing environment of the Premier League, his hamstrings/adductor/groin will go. These are recurring niggles he suffered in the past few years.

 

[Ødegaard]

Isn't he supposed to be more interested in off-field stuff rather than on-field?
No thanks.
Also need to prioritize midfield and left-back.

 

[dinostar77]

Have you watched a lot of him then?

Milan being my "second" team (blame gazette football italia on ch4 in the 1990s), i watch them when I can.

Out biggest hurdle is when we come against teams who defend deep with a low block. We struggle to break them down. Unfortunately players like Cherki, who can do the unexpected are few are far between. That's the only reason I can think of, for why Utd "might" be interested in him.

He's not one of those wingers who needs space to run into as we saw with barcola last night against arsenal.