Speaking on his podcast, Phil Hay has been discussing how Dan James will fit into the Leeds United XI, and he says that Marcelo Bielsa is considering switching Raphinha’s position.
Indeed, the journalist says the winger could move inside to act as a more central player after James’ arrival.
This doesn’t come as much of a shock. After all, when Raphinha arrived at Elland Road in 2020, Bielsa said he could be a number 10 one day, and it seems as though that time has come.
What’s been said?
Hay gave an insight into Bielsa’s mindset after James’ arrival.
“He probably starts on the bench behind Raphinha and Jack Harrison. We will wait to see whether or not there’s any effort made to convert Raphinha into a 10. From what I can gather, that is on Bielsa’s mind, but I think it would take a heck of a lot of coaching, and it would be a longer-term process. Raphinha to me doesn’t look like a Bielsa player in that two behind Patrick Bamford, it looks more like an eight rather than an out-and-out 10,” Hay said.
Imagine that midfield
Just imagine how energetic and scary that midfield would be.
Dan James and Jack Harrison motoring up and down the wing. Stuart Dallas running his socks off for a full 90, Kalvin Phillips orchestrating the play and Raphinha strutting his stuff.
Leeds could be a force to be reckoned with if Raphinha can take to this new role like a duck to water.
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