Micah Richards has claimed that Liverpool transfer target and AC Milan winger Rafael Leao was ‘absoutley eaten alive’ by Chelsea defender Reece James on Wednesday night in the Champions League, as he told CBS Sports (05/10/22 at 10:10 pm).
The 23-year-old is a much sought-after figure in the transfer market, with the likes of Liverpool and Graham Potter’s Chelsea vying for his pretty expensive signature.
Well, Leao had the chance to impress Chelsea supporters at Stamford Bridge last night, but instead, he watched AC Milan lose 3-0, as Reece James walked away with the Man of the Match award after doing a job on the all-action forward.
Heading into the Champions League tie in West London, Leao had four goals and four assists in Serie A for AC Milan, including three assists in Europe.
But all of that was put to an abrupt end when he met the brick wall of England defender James, who also picked up an assist and a goal, to add to his clean sheet.
Nonetheless, before the start of yesterday’s game, former Manchester City star Richards was bigging up Leao and how he is a ‘frightening’ player, before watching him get dealt with by one of Chelsea’s finest.
“I have watched this guy, Portugal international, he has four goals and six assists this season and he’s frightening,” said Richards. “He has pace to burn down this left-hand side. His close control and step-overs – he runs in-behind and defenders can’t catch him.
After FT, Richards then comments on his performance against Recee James: “I was pretty disappointed with Leao. I mentioned him and Reece James, before the game.
“I built him up before the game. There was one moment in the game where he did nice jinking, if that had gone in, then the game might have changed.
“But Reece James absolutely ate him alive, not just defensively. He literally kept going back and forward – but, after that moment, Reece James was keeping him back the other way, he gets his assist and goal later on in the game.”
REECE JAMES PROVING HIS WORTH AGAINST LEAO
This is why, when it comes to England duty, many fans want to see Reece James starting ahead of Liverpool right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Going forward, as Trent proved against Rangers, he is near-on untouchable in comparison to other fullbacks Gareth Southgate can pick from for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But, when it comes to all-round play and the defensive package provided, James could argue that he isn’t just ahead of Alexander-Arnold, but Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier also.
Either way, that was a monstrous display from the Chelsea academy product, who is just going from strength to strength in his career.
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