Ian Wright has told Match of the Day that Leeds star Raphinha has underperformed for in terms of stats, this season. The Brazilian scored in his side’s crucial 2-1 win to stave off relegation on Sunday.
Raphinha, 25, scored his 11th goal of the season on Sunday – after winning a penalty against Brentford in West London. He calmly sent David Raya the wrong way, as Leeds went on to win 2-1. Jack Harrison scored a late winner.
Leeds needed to better Burnley’s result and they did just that, with Mike Jackson’s men losing at home to Newcastle. It sees Leeds finish in 17th place, three points above the drop zone. Jesse Marsch’s fourth Leeds win.
Raphinha is being linked with a summer exit, as Barcelona and Newcastle trail the Brazil star. Ian Wright has been discussing the ex-Rennes and Sporting Lisbon ace, claiming he should have produced more this term.
“Raphinha has finally come to the party for them when they needed him the most, 11 goals and 3 assists. A player with his capability, he should’ve got more. But in this game, he looked up for it.
“Every opportunity he got to shoot, he took it. For the penalty, great skill, he got up and takes a very good penalty under immense pressure,” Wright said, during his analysis on Match of the Day.
Wright says Leeds star Raphinha underperformed during 2021-22
Raphinha arguably should have scored more goals and certainly got a few more assists. But it is right to attribute his inconsistent form with that of the Leeds side on the whole. The Whites have struggled defensively.
Marcelo Bielsa’s tactics meant Raphinha had to do an enormous amount of defensive work. Then, under Marsch, he has been made to play as a defensive winger. No Patrick Bamford will have hindered Raphinha, too.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
