Abate's got a lot of playing time now. This will be a good learning experience, if anything, but if we do aim to be among the best in the business, then he simply has to improve. I don't see him as being particularly effective further forward in midfield or as a right winger ... I think if he stands a chance at being a Milan regular, it will be at RB. He doesn't need to add a lot more to his game to be very effect from RB, but further forward, I don't think he's technically gifted enough ... and you simply can't teach that.
So ... about his RB play, BIG ISSUE that he has to work on is CROSSING. I know its a problem that almost every Milan fullback of late has had, but this mysterious problem has to stop. The only time we scored off a Abate cross was in a friendly against Juve. For an offensive fullback, with pace + the other offensive qualities that he has, thats a poor return.
Also, with our midfield playing so deep, it is upto the fullbacks to make some ground further forward. I know he may be a bit cautious about when to make runs and to venture forward, but he does so far too little, and he should have gained some confidence by now to at least venture forward once in a while. Its a main reason why Pato is singled out and struggles on the right ... because there's no overlapping run by Abate. Thats not to say Abate's only at fault, as if we were to lose possession with Abate pushed up, Pato simply will not cover and defend for him on a regular basis.
But that said ... with the system we play ... i.e. at least two CMs sitting so deep, we need to get more bodies forward to support the attack. This is where we need more dynamic wingbacks, who are solid defensively, and very capable moving forward. Its the biggest weakness of our squad at the moment, and so, if Abate and Co. don't seem up to the task, then Leo should go into the market for players who can without further delay.