Jesse Marsch appears naive with Raphinha comments ahead of Leeds United v Chelsea
Jesse Marsch hinted at Raphinha playing as a right wing-back for Leeds United after Luke Ayling is ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Englishman has been ever-present for Leeds this season, but his red card against Arsenal will mean he misses the next three games.
With Stuart Dallas ruled out and Jamie Shackleton still returning to full fitness, the Whites are short on options at right-back.
Discussing the potential replacements for Ayling, Marsch said, via LeedsLive, “We have Jamie Shackleton to play this position. We can play Raphinha, we can try a centre-back outside at the full-back position.”
Playing the Brazilian as a right wing-back is absolutely suicidal and we’re baffled that Marsch is even considering that.
Raphinha is in no way a good defender and he is not needed in the defensive third unless he’s tracking his runner.
He’s arguably Leeds’ biggest goal scoring threat and he’s going to wasted if he’s playing 60 yards away from the opposition net.
If the American makes the naive decision of playing Raphinha at wing-back against Chelsea, the game’s lost then and there.
Thomas Tuchel will ask his Chelsea players to attack from their left and they’ll run circles around the Leeds defence as the Brazilian will be out of position on a number of occasions.
It makes sense to play James or Shackleton there, but starting Raphinha in that role would be a bad move from Marsch and will worry the Elland Road faithful from the moment the lineups are out.