Rafael Leao

[BigOscar]

Haven't seen much of him, but by all accounts he's really shot up this year having got his chance in the B team and UYL. Jose Gomes always seemed ahead of him in the "maybe a Portuguese striker who won't be completely shit" ranks, but Leao has gone up through about three levels of NT youth ranks this year and been banging in goals in every competition he's played, even managing to get on the pitch for the main team.(which is impressive considering the manager Jorge Jesus isn't exactly renowned for giving youth a chance)

Still seems a bit early for him to be a first teamer for us, but you never know. He has all the physical tools and is very skilful for a guy his size

 

[cityontheup]

where are we with PEPs contract by the way?

 

[ADegenerate]

where are we with PEPs contract by the way?

1 year left officially. Unofficiallly it’s he won’t negotiate until he’s won anything...aka pay me in the summer. Pretty smart guy IMO.

 

[Delphinho]

Haven't seen much of him, but by all accounts he's really shot up this year having got his chance in the B team and UYL. Jose Gomes always seemed ahead of him in the "maybe a Portuguese striker who won't be completely shit" ranks, but Leao has gone up through about three levels of NT youth ranks this year and been banging in goals in every competition he's played, even managing to get on the pitch for the main team.(which is impressive considering the manager Jorge Jesus isn't exactly renowned for giving youth a chance)

Still seems a bit early for him to be a first teamer for us, but you never know. He has all the physical tools and is very skilful for a guy his size

Many said the same about Jesus

 

[ADegenerate]

Many said the same about Jesus

Jesus helped win the olympics for the most prestigious NT in football and also was instrumental in bringing the title back to a prestigious South American team. Not remotely the same thing. Jesus might have been a surprise to some people but some people would have started Jesus ahead of Kun from the get go. He had a pretty big reputation coming in.

 

[BigOscar]

Many said the same about Jesus

Not really the same though. Leao has only played about 10 hours of senior football, the vast majority of that in the not exactly stellar Portuguese second division. Jesus had played 2 full seasons of top flight football in Brazil and was a full international with one of the best teams in the world.

Not saying he can't make the step up, but the situations aren't similar. He is essentially still a youth team player at this point

 

[cityzennn93:20]

Remember we bid for mbappe when he barely had any 1st team nine and then he broke through the following season. Better get him now than later.

 

[lightning Rodri]

Many said the same about Jesus

More like Mbappe failed bid 2016 summer.

 

[nmc]

1 year left officially. Unofficiallly it’s he won’t negotiate until he’s won anything...aka pay me in the summer. Pretty smart guy IMO.

In other words - wait until I'm in a better negotiating position!

 

[dhruvblue]

We had a €50m bid rejected for Unknown Mbappe,if we are some potential re Mbappe here then we shouldn't miss the chance.Success or failure is all hidden in future but we must back ourselves and think this will be a success