Raphinha ‘a passenger’ for Leeds United against Everton says Beren Cross
Leeds United did not have their best day at the office against Everton as Frank Lampard’s side ran out 3-0 winners at Goodison Park.
Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane and Anthony Gordon all penetrated the Whites’ goal as they were well beaten by the better side on the day.
One player who was especially poor on Merseyside was last season’s Player of the Year Raphinha who was dragged off at half-time by Marcelo Bielsa as a result.
LeedsLive journalist Beren Cross did not hold back against the Brazilian in his player ratings as the 25-year-old was given just a three out of ten.
“It’s not often you see the clear Player of the Year winner hooked at the break,” Cross said, “Never woke from his Villa Park slumber here. A passenger and few would have had complaints with his withdrawal.”
No more off days
At times this season, Raphinha has looked like he has been taking teams on single-handedly and he is still probably the club’s best player of this campaign.
But if Leeds are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle, he cannot afford to be off the boil like he was today.
His flair and trickery has caused nightmares for the majority of the Premier League’s full-backs but he lost the ball nine times in 45 minutes yesterday which is simply not good enough.
If he has many more days like yesterday, then Whites fans can strap in for a rough ride to the end of the season because the form of the Brazilian is linked to how well the team do.
No other player in the squad, and few others in the entire division, can unlock a defence like Raphinha can and Bielsa will need him at his peak from now until May.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has tweeted some important injury news on Whites versatile star Stuart Dallas.