Raphinha has admitted to the Daily Mail that Marcelo Bielsa surprised him with how strong the Leeds United manager’s work ethic is after moving to Elland Road last year.
The Whites paid Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennes £17m plus add-ons to bring the Brazilian to West Yorkshire. He has since scored seven times and provided nine assists in 34 Premier League appearances, starting 30.
Raphinha has only contributed to the scoring with one goal amid Leeds’ winless start to the 2021/22 campaign, however. He connected with Liam Cooper to score the late equaliser at home to Everton in last month’s 2-2 draw.
Raphinha admits he hates the feeling of losing, and believes his Leeds teammate and Bielsa are in the same boat. But the Argentine tactician astounded the winger after his arrival at Elland Road with how strong his work ethic is.
The 24-year-old now hopes the ultra-demanding Bielsa can help guide the Whites into a European spot this season. With the Leeds boss constantly pushing Raphinha to be better.
“I hate losing and my teammates feel this way, too,” Raphinha said. “Bielsa is the same. He has even surprised me with how strong his work ethic is. There are moments to relax, but the main objective is to work on our game.
“I know I can do better each game — Bielsa knows it, too. He doesn’t let us chill. We talk a lot, always wanting to win. We are strong-minded and focused; I know Leeds will be even greater this season. I hope we get into Europe.”
Can Bielsa and Raphinha guide Leeds into Europe this season?
Raphinha was an instant hit under Bielsa last term with more assists in the Premier League than any Leeds player. Only four players scored more often than the Brazilian, too, as the Whites ended the campaign ninth in the table.
Leeds also missed out on a spot in Europe by just three-points during their first year back in the top-flight. West Ham in the last Europa League spot were also only three-points better off than Conference League qualifiers Tottenham. The Champions League was also two-points further away, with Chelsea ending the term eight-points better off than the Whites.
Bielsa and Director of Football Victor Orta carefully invested in improving the Leeds squad around Raphinha this summer. Junior Firpo replaced Ezgjan Alioski, Kristoffer Klaesson for Kiko Casilla and Dan James arrived on Deadline Day. Jack Harrison also joined permanently.
But the start to the season has so far not been close to what the Whites would have hoped for. Leeds travel to Newcastle on Friday in search of their first win of the campaign, and will hope Raphinha can help make the difference by putting Bielsa’s demands into action.
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