Giroud hails €175m Chelsea target: 'He has everything'

Tom Weber

Updated: 30 Sept 2024 16:24 BST
4 min read

Olivier Giroud, Milan, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao 'has everything,' according to Olivier Giroud.

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The Portuguese winger has established himself as one of the Rossoneri's biggest stars in recent years, though his start to life under Paulo Fonseca has been difficult.

There have been rumours of tension between the two compatriots, with Leao not happy about being left on the bench earlier in the season when things were proving complicated for Fonseca.

However, teething problems appear to have been overcome as Milan have now won three on the bounce in Serie A, a run of fixtures that includes a derby defeat of hated city rivals Inter.

Leao has contributed four assists and a goal in domestic play this season, being involved in a goal in all but two of Milan's Serie A games so far.

Giroud on Leao

His form in recent years has made Leao, who has been compared to Kylian Mbappe, a sought-after commodity on the market but Milan have made sure to price any potential suitors out of a move by handing him a €175 million release clause.

Chelsea and PSG have been frequently associated with the 25-year-old, but even they would likely struggle to afford him, so transfer talk has gone quiet in recent weeks and months.

However, if he continues to perform, speculation will inevitably reappear given that he is a player who 'has everything,' according to ex-Milan teammate Olivier Giroud.

The former Chelsea and Arsenal striker, now playing for LAFC in MLS, has waxed lyrical about Leao while speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport. “Rafa is a technical leader, he drags people on the pitch, like Theo [Hernandez]," the Frenchman began.

"You have to understand one thing: everyone has their own personality, you cannot force a boy’s character expecting charisma at all costs, that is what [Mike] Maignan is for. Rafa and Theo have an impact with their plays and goals.

"When I played in Dallas, a fan asked me if Leao was as good as [Thierry] Henry. I replied that you cannot compare a champion who has had his whole career with a boy who is only 25 years old.

“Let’s wait and do the math at the end: Rafa has everything, the hardest thing is to be at 100% of his potential every week. It depends on him, on how demanding he is with himself. Fatherhood will help him grow.”