Rashford, Sancho Better Than Me – Leao

AC Milan star Rafael Leao says he’s yet to be at the same level as the Man United duo of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.

He made this known in response to former Italy star Cassano’s comments, who named the Man Utd pair, along with Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Barcelona sensation Ansu Fati as superior players to Leao, and said that he doesn’t make enough of a difference in games.

The comments made have raised eyebrows in Italy, as he discussed the merits of the Portuguese forward.

“He would not be a regular starter in the best teams in Europe,” Cassano told Bobo TV on Monday.

“Liverpool have Luis Diaz. Barcelona has Ansu Fati who is 19-year-old. Leao plays in Serie A, not a top league.

“To me, Sancho and Rashford are better than Leao, Sancho is phenomenal. Leao is a mix between Dembélé and Martial. He is not worth €150m he doesn’t score 50 goals per season, therefore he doesn’t really make the difference.”

However, the 23-year-old hasn’t let Cassano’s opinion bother him, and liked an article on his Twitter feed that had reported on the quotes from the ex-Italy striker.

Style of play

Leão is regarded as a highly skillful and technical player, capable of playing on either flank, due to his versatility. Not only is he quite tall and lean, but he also has a great burst and top-end speed to match, making him a very dynamic forward. Having developed as a center-forward at the youth level, he offers a dynamic presence in the forward line. He stretches and disrupts defences with his movements, with and without the ball.

 Leão is a prolific and proficient dribbler; he drives powerfully from deep and then beats players in one-on-one situations around the box with skill and changes of speed and he is also capable of creating chances and providing assists for teammates from the left due to his vision. Inside the penalty area, he gets into good positions off dribbles and movement, being able to play as a striker, due to his composure, and eye for goal. During his managerial spell at Milan, Stefano Pioli deployed Leão as a supporting striker or a winger on either side of the pitch, rather than an out-and-out striker.