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Leeds duo holding back Raphinha making first Premier League start - Journalist
Leeds United winger Raphinha is starting to catch the eye with his cameos in the Premier League and elsewhere.
The Brazilian started for the under-23s on Sunday against Norwich City and grabbed a goal while tormenting the Canaries all afternoon.
Marcelo Bielsa will have been delighted to see his new signing also play in a central role to great effect adding more versatility to his game.
Adding that to his impressive substitute appearance against Aston Villa, and many have started to call for him to start for the Whites.
Leeds Live journalist Beren Cross has claimed recently that there are two players holding him back from making his full debut with their own impressive displays.
According to Cross, the form of Helder Costa and Jack Harrison means that Raphinha will have to settle for a spot on the bench for now.
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Even Rodrigo has started to shine in a playmaker role, meaning that the Brazilian’s display there for the under-23s shouldn’t make a difference either.
Strength in depth
It seems strange to have such strength in depth in the final third this season at Elland Road, something we haven’t had since Bielsa arrived.
On the bench against Villa, Leeds had Raphinha, Pablo Hernandez and Tyler Roberts all to come on in an attacking sense and that is only positive.
Costa and Harrison have both been superb since promotion to the Premier League, and this level of competition is only set to make them better.
The duo have been involved in six goals already between them, and they will need to continue that to keep the new signing at bay.
Raphinha’s ability was on display with his defence-splitting pass to Harrison, but one moment of class isn’t enough to force your way into this side instantly.
In other Leeds United news, Andrea Radrizzani claims Whites turnaround not yet complete
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