Clinton Morrison has claimed that he was left ‘surprised’ by Marcelo Bielsa’s decision to substitute Raphinha during Leeds United’s 3-0 defeat to Everton, as he told Sky Sports News.
Sky presenter, Jeff Stelling, added that it was the ‘unexpected’ from the Argentine.
With Leeds 2-0 down to Frank Lampard’s men at half-time, Bielsa opted to make two changes at half-time.
The Leeds boss was already forced to make a change after ten minutes when Stuart Dallas went off injured.
But he didn’t waste any time to make his final two subs at the break, with Raphinha and Mateusz Klich making way for Adam Forshaw and Tyler Roberts.
Given that the Brazilian winger wasn’t injured, both Stelling and Morrison were surprised by Bielsa’s call.
“Always expect the unexpected where Marcelo Bielsa is concerned,” said Stelling. “And he has certainly done the unexpected at half-time.”
“He sure has (done the unexpected),” said Morrison. “He has taken off Raphinha and Klich. And brought on Forshaw and Tyler Roberts.
“I don’t understand. Unless Raphinha’s injured, for the life of me, I don’t know why he has taken him off.
“I would have taken off Struijk or Koch. One of the three centre-halves because they have been nowhere near good enough.
“Bielsa knows what he’s doing, but I think he might have got this one wrong – I am still surprised by Raphinha, unless he’s injured, you don’t take off your best player.”
In the end, Leeds went on to concede a third and their sixth of the week following their 3-3 draw at Villa Park on Wednesday night.
That call by Bielsa to bring one of his best players off just sums him up and one that proves, it’s his way or the high way.
If he feels he needs to make a change, he will do it, if he wants to start a player, no matter how young, he will do it.
Bielsa recently had a 15-year-old in Archie Gray on the bench, which just proves how he doesn’t look at the value, quality or age of the player.
And from that perspective, it’s great to see, even though some Leeds fans will be questioning that call involving Raphinha.
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