S
SEARCH
M
SW
Collect News Data

Marcelo Bielsa: Raphinha's footwork makes him a rare talent

:Headline: Marcelo Bielsa: Raphinha's footwork makes him a rare talent:
The 24-year-old's displays have prompted speculation linking him with summer moves to both Manchester United and Liverpool.
Sports Mole

Marcelo Bielsa has explained why players such as Leeds winger Raphinha are so rare in the Premier League.

Raphinha hit the ground running for Bielsa's side after joining in October last year for a reported £17million from Rennes.

The 24-year-old Brazilian's eye-catching displays have prompted speculation linking him with summer moves to both Manchester United and Liverpool.

Raphinha, second right, fires home a superb equaliser against Everton last week (Richard Sellers/PA)

Bielsa said: "He's a very potent player. It's very difficult to triumph in the Premier League if you don't have this potency.

"It's his explosiveness and his speed, his repetitions and quick physical responses.

"On top of that he sustains the effort without any problems. Players with those conditions, there are many in the Premier League.

"What there are very few of are the players with the talent that he has with his feet, that he has to resolve a situation.

"And apart from that, being able to imagine responses and to actually carry them out also."

Bielsa is clearly delighted with the impact made by Raphinha, who scored six goals and made nine assists in the top flight last season and lashed home a superb equaliser in last week's 2-2 home draw against Everton.

The Argentinian joked: "If I was with my friends, they would say, 'so many words just to say that he plays well!'"

Raphinha is expected back in Leeds' starting line-up for their Sunday lunch-time kick-off at Burnley having been left out of the midweek Carabao Cup win against Crewe.

Bielsa made six changes on Tuesday night and Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich are also likely to return.

Spain defender Diego Llorente played the first 45 minutes after recovering from a muscle strain and could make his first league start of the season.

Adam Forshaw is another player hoping to give Bielsa a selection dilemma after the Leeds boss confirmed he came through unscathed against Crewe.

The 29-year-old midfielder made his first senior appearance in almost two years after overcoming a chronic hip problem.

Bielsa said: "He's reacted positively. He played 60 minutes and he did it in a very intense manner. The recovery in the days after the game has been satisfactory.

"Our hope and desire is that as time goes on we won't need to worry about how he deals with the loads and we will consider him fully healthy."

body check tags ::

amp_article__461315 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-08-28 15:49:42:
html db last update - 2021-08-28 15:47:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Raphinha

Click here for more stories about Leeds United

Share this article now:

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
UC
Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Burnley boss Sean Dyche talks up Kalvin Phillips ahead of Leeds clash
Paul Pogba 'leaning towards staying at Man United'
Houssem Aouar plays down Arsenal transfer talk
Guardiola 'asks Man City to sign Phillips next summer'

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
UC
Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
X

We value your privacy

A part of our GDPR compliance we need to ask for your consent. We and our partners use technology such as cookies on Sports Mole to personalise content and ads, provide social media features, and analyse our traffic. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on Sports Mole.