Big Six Could Possibly Try & Raid Leeds For Raphinha In The Summer
Leeds United’s troubles over the last decade and a half have been well documented.
Multiple relegations and administration have been the cause of great distress to a city obsessed with football.
As much as the fans did everything to keep the Leeds flag flying during some of the most depressing years, by packing away ends at places like Hartlepool and Hereford, the fun of actually enjoying football had gone.
Tribalism and passion can only take you so far.
There did come a time when Whites fans were forced to question what made them fall in love with football; because it sure wasn’t the time a postman knocked Leeds out of the FA Cup. Indeed, it seemed like a city that had witnessed some of the best players in the world playing at Elland Road, were indefinitely subjected to the scraps of lower league football. Going to a half-empty ground to see dreadful signings kicking lumps out of each other on a mud pitch, was worlds away from the roar that once filled Elland Road after Leeds scored the winner against European giants AC Milan.
Without a doubt, the Leeds Utd faithful have been through the most frightening trauma during their fall down the football pyramid. These days, the superstars are beginning to return to Elland Road and the healing has started in earnest.
This is down to Leeds spending handsomely over the summer to bring in a talented spine in order to keep them up after their heroic promotion under manager charismatic Marcelo Bielsa.
You can categorically say that this approach has worked given that, at the beginning of February, Leeds are at odds of 100/1 in Premier League betting to be relegated. Now, they wouldn’t have been far off evens to go down when they stepped out onto the Anfield pitch for their first game of the season, but their summer spree has paid off.
Indeed, vast amounts were outlaid for Rodrigo, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente, and, for good measure, Leeds found £17m to spend on an unknown player called Raphinha (Source BBC). It was all quite surprising at the time; given that the Brazilian had no problem giving up Champions League football with Rennes, in order to head across the Channel and up to the north of England to help Leeds avoid relegation in the Premier League.
He had already endeared himself to the Leeds fans, but was he any good?
Perhaps we can answer that question another way, everytime Raphinha gets the ball, Leeds United fans around the world are rewarded for their patience during the dark days and subsequent belief that things would one day get better.
The 24-year-old’s time on the Leeds United wing has been so successful since his arrival that there is a genuine concern around West Yorkshire that he is already being coveted by the Premier League’s Big Six clubs. Three goals and four assists in 15 Premier League games has meant that Raphinha has announced himself on football’s biggest domestic stage with some style.
Whether you support Leeds United or not, and it’s not common for Leeds to attract too much love outside of the region, you can’t help but hold your breath when Raphinha glides past an opponent on his way to the goal. The Brazilian’s nimble feet are backed up by a work ethic that only Marcelo Bielsa can instil in a player. It’s not often that you find a team’s luxury player is also one of the hardest workers on the field, but that’s what Raphinha does; he puts in a shift that defies belief.
Raphinha has the attributes that world-class managers have their scouts scouring the globe for.
The secret is out now with Raphinha delivering in the best league in the world every weekend to an audience of millions. Make no mistake, Leeds United will have a battle on their hands to keep this wonderful footballer when the summer comes around.
Posted on February 3rd, 2021 by scott
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