Phil Hay raves about Leeds winger Raphinha
Phil Hay of The Athletic has showered heaps of praise on Leeds United winger Raphinha.
In the Athletic mailbag column, Hay was asked if Raphinha is currently the most important player for Leeds.
Hay has suggested that while Kalvin Phillips still remains the player Leeds miss most when he is not around, Raphinha is playing on another level at the moment.
Raphinha joined Leeds last season from Rennes for a reported fee of £17 million (BBC Sport). He impressed heavily in his first season at Elland Road, managing six goals and nine assists in all competitions.
Despite the arrival of Dan James this summer, who potentially could become a top-class player, the Whites are heavily dependant on Raphinha in terms of attacking output.
“Phillips is the player whom Leeds miss most but, in an attacking sense, Raphinha is consistently head and shoulders above everyone,” wrote Hay for The Athletic. “Even aside from his touch and his vision, he has the most incredible engine.
“When he’s not carrying an injury he looks like he could run all night. I cannot say for sure what his true value is but it’s miles above the £17 million paid for him. It is quite noticeable how frequently supporters of other clubs mention him after games against Leeds.”
Key player for Leeds United
The likes of Jack Harrison, Tyler Roberts, Rodrigo, James and Patrick Bamford no doubt bring a lot to the side, but Raphinha is a class apart.
He is fast, intelligent, skilful, and workhorse – the Brazilian is a manager’s dream.
Raphinha had to wait a long time for his Brazil debut but he made it memorable this week when he came off the bench to play a decisive part in the Selecao’s 3-1 comeback victory against Venezuela in the World Cup qualifier.
Leeds have struggled badly in the opening two months of the new Premier League campaign, but Raphinha has impressed, managing three goals already.
Like Phillips, he is fast becoming an irrepressible asset for the club, and he is pivotal to how Leeds play.
When you’re playing on top of your game, you’re bound to attract interest from top clubs, and it is not an exception with Raphinha as well.
Leeds are pretty relaxed with his situation. He has a contract at the club until 2024 and the club is under no pressure to sell him.
In other Leeds United news, Andy Goldstein has issued this claim on Kalvin Phillips.