Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson blown away by Leeds United winger Raphinha
Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson were waxing lyrical about Leeds United winger Raphinha on Sky Sports News on Saturday.
Raphinha, 25, has been in stunning form for the Whites this season and understandably, he’s been linked with top clubs in England and across Europe.
The Brazil winger impressed in last week’s 3-2 win at West Ham, assisting one of Jack Harrison’s three goals.
After watching highlights of his display at the London Stadium, Merson couldn’t help but drool over Raphinha after initial praise from Stelling.
“I think everyone would say that Raphinha is the star of the show at the moment. But he works his socks off as well,” said Stelling on Sky Sports News on Saturday afternoon [22 January, 02:40pm].
Merson then replied to say: “If you don’t work your socks off, you’ll definitely get found out in this team.
“There are teams you can do it in but in this team, you have to work.
“This lad is different class. I think he can play for anybody, works hard, he’s got talent in an abundance, he picks the right pass, everything that he does is right. I just think that he’s a proper, proper footballer.
“There, he got his head up, didn’t panic and just whacked the ball across the box. And this is unreal (his assist to Jack Harrison). He just stands there and goes, ‘yes, here you go’. Different class.
“He ticks every box. Again, there, wow. Goalkeeper is nowhere near it (his free-kick that hit the cross bar).
“Leeds will have to try and keep hold of him next season because, as I say, he can play anywhere.”
Super Raph
Raphinha may have struggled to have an impact in the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday but the former Rennes winger deserves all the praise he can get for what has been a sensational season in West Yorkshire.
He’s Leeds’ top goalscorer with eight goals in his 19 Premier League appearances while he’s also chipped in with two assists.
His performance at West Ham last week was incredible and was simply as good as it gets for him.
Raphinha’s passing, dribbling and shooting were all top-notch. All that he didn’t do was score – although he did come close enough when he rattled West Ham’s goal.
Leeds are in talks to get Raphinha tied down to a new contract with his existing deal expiring at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Leeds won’t want that to get any closer to expiring as it will only heap pressure on them to sell if a big offer comes in during the summer transfer window.
Let’s hope it’s sorted as soon as possible.
In other Leeds United news, Leeds have been told to pay over £6million to sign a “terrific” player who’s been tipped to move on.