Leeds United to leave Raphinha in England during Australia pre-season tour
Leeds United will not have Raphinha with them during their pre-season tour of Australia throughout July, according to SPORT.
The 25-year-old is currently on holiday after playing both of Brazil’s post-season international friendlies but he is not due to return to training until 12 July.
That is a particular problem for Jesse Marsch who leads his Whites squad down under on 10 July for three pre-season friendlies against Brisbane Roar, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
As a result, the Brazilian will stay at Thorp Arch once he returns from abroad where he will get himself towards match fitness ahead of the start of the new season but he may not start the 2022-23 campaign as a Leeds player.
Barcelona have been chasing the wing wizard in the transfer market and have personal terms agreed with the player but they have been unable to match Leeds United’s asking price, with the opposite problem prohibiting Chelsea’s attempts.
Worrisome
There’s not much we can really do to help the misfortune of the timing of Raphinha’s return from holiday but you can hardly say this is an ideal scenario for Marsch.
The American needs all of his squad together so he can properly instil his ideas and philosophy into the entire group having had to make do with what he had at his disposal last season in keeping us in the Premier League.
There will be at least five new signings heading to Australia in Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Darko Gyabi and Tyler Adams and they will be using this time abroad to bed themselves into the squad.
Without Raphinha there, he cannot begin to create those all-important connections that can provide so many goals on the pitch but he may also find himself without a place in the side.
Marsch’s style of play is a very specific one and he has bought players to fit his ideology so far which may threaten the Brazilian’s untouchable stance at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, there have been “new contacts” in the ongoing saga surrounding Raphinha’s future as Fabrizio Romano shares all.