The left flank has been a problem position for Chelsea since Eden Hazard left for Real Madrid in 2019. A lot of players have gotten their chance there, but nobody has really been able to make it their own. Last summer, the club spent close to €100 million trying to strengthen there, bringing in Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United and Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund.
Neither has convinced. Garnacho has failed to live up to expectations and is already being linked with a move away. On the other hand, Gittens has never really got it going and has spent a lot of time out injured. But even when he has been available, he has not looked impressive.
So, it would not come as a surprise if Chelsea try to sign another winger in the summer. And interestingly, it looks like they might have the chance to bring in a long-term target of theirs.
According to TEAMtalk, intermediaries have begun actively exploring potential destinations for Rafael Leao. Approaches have been made to Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Leao might be heading for the AC Milan exit door
Leao has been an integral part of this AC Milan team for years now. At one point, he was considered the best player in Italy as his team won the Serie A title.
Leao’s importance to this AC Milan team has diminished lately though. In Massimiliano Allegri’s setup, he has played mostly as a centre-forward while former Chelsea winger, Christian Pulisic, has come in from the left flank.
Leao is now being heavily linked with a move away from AC Milan. Could Chelsea be the Portuguese winger’s next destination?
Would Leao be the right signing for Chelsea?
It is hard to predict how a player coming in from Serie A would adjust to the Premier League. The pace is much faster in English football. And the overall quality of the teams is higher as well.
So, signing Leao would come with its fair share of risk for sure. We have seen several players from in from Serie A or the Bundesliga and struggle with the adaptation.
That being said, Leao would probably still be an upgrade on most of the options that are available to Chelsea on the left flank right now. But at the same time, let’s not forget that Geovany Quenda is set to join the club from Sporting CP in the summer and there is a lot of hype surrounding him as well.
