Jeff Stelling blown away by Leeds United winger Raphinha in 2-2 draw v Everton
Jeff Stelling has lavished praise on Leeds United winger Raphinha after the Brazilian starred in their 2-2 draw against Everton on Saturday afternoon.
The 24-year-old struck in the 72nd minute at Elland Road to level the game and hand the Whites their first Premier League point of the 2021/22 campaign.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday [21/08/21] after the game finished, Stelling waxed lyrical about the 2020 bargain buy from France.
Stelling said: “Raphinha cost £17m from Rennes, we talk about Danny Ings not being a gamble at £25million, £17million was a gamble for him [Raphinha] but my word it’s paid off big time.
“Absolute bargain,” Michael Dawson replied.
“He was sensational today. He was just a joy to watch.”
Brazilian bargain
£17million gets you very little in the transfer market nowadays. Championship players, untested in the Premier League, are getting sold for £20million-plus.
But Leeds struck gold last October after Raphinha moved to West Yorkshire.
Stelling has a slight point when he suggests it was still a gamble at that price, but Raphinha had proven himself in two decent leagues in Portugal and France, scoring 25 times in the former before six goals in 28 Ligue 1 appearances allied to a number of assists.
Even if he flopped at Elland Road, his track record and age would have only seen us make a small loss.
That’s important as a newly-promoted side – we have to be frugal in our expenditure and minimise risks.
Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa had obviously done their due diligence, and it’s paid off handsomely.
He’s fast becoming one of the best wingers in the Premier League.
The South American star may not be on the levels of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane just yet, but he’ll be knocking on the door in the next couple of years if he continues his development.
In other Leeds United news, Sky Sports pundit baffled by ‘Incredible’ Bielsa decision in Whites clash v Everton.