Leeds United ‘already too small’ for extraordinary Raphinha
A former coach of Leeds United star Raphinha believes the winger is already too big for the West Yorkshire side.
Raphinha has continued to build on his burgeoning reputation with Leeds this season.
Three goals in seven Premier League appearances have shot the 24-year-old on to the international stage. He was called up by Brazil recently for their triple header with Venezuela, Colombia and Uruguay and did not disappoint.
Raphinha was a half-time sub against Venezuela and provided two assists. He then got a half-hour run-out against Colombia before starting against Uruguay and scoring twice.
That will have already impacted his value and his agent has already hinted that his man may well be looking to move on.
Deco recently claimed that Liverpool are interested in the player, who is for now, “happy” at Elland Road.
“He’s young, he has many challenges ahead. There are certainly several clubs that like him, and Liverpool do like him. There were surveys, but nothing official. Leeds wanted to keep him for another season,” Deco told Globo Esporte.
Now, one of Raphinha’s former coaches believes his time may be coming to move on.
Vitor Campelos, who used to be the coach Vitoria Guimaraes B, told Record: “He was always aware of his skills, believed in himself a lot, and with dedication managed to reach the level where he is today.”
Campelos, who is now the Chaves coach, added: “Now, with the call to the national team and scoring goals, Leeds will already be too small for him.”
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Journalist has fears for Leeds
Meanwhile, one national newspaper journalist thinks Leeds could be in big trouble this season. Especially if Kalvin Phillips faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
Thankfully for Leeds, Marcelo Bielsa has played down the severity of the calf injury that prevented Phillips playing at Southampton.
But should he face a longer-than-expected spell on the sidelines, Daily Mail journalist Riath Al-Samarrai fears Leeds will be in huge trouble.
“The absences of Raphinha and Patrick Bamford stung; the loss of Phillips to a calf injury crippled them. So the hope must be that Bielsa was right in playing down its damage, even if he did ominously reveal that the problem had caused new complications in his hip,” Al-Samarrai wrote.
“Any prolonged lay-off would surely increase the severity of Leeds’ relegation battle.”
READ MORE: Pundit slams Leeds star for ‘hiding’ as Liam Cooper delivers stinging verdict
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