Danny Murphy has said on Match of the Day on BBC One (11pm, February 12, 2022) that Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa made a mistake taking off Raphinha against Everton at Goodison Park.
The former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder believes that it was a really strange decision from Leeds boss Bielsa to take off one of his best players.
As expected, Raphinha started the match for Leeds against Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
However, Bielsa took off the 25-year-old winger at half time and brought on Tyler Roberts.
There was a suggestion that the Brazil international winger may have been injured, but after the match, Bielsa said that the decision was tactical.
Leeds were 2-0 down at half time and lost 3-0 in the end.
Murphy said on Match of the Day on BBC One (11pm, February 12, 2022): “It was a mistake.
“He was playing alright, he was causing Kenny a few problems, he didn’t score or set up a goal. But you are 2-0 down in a game, and you need your best players.”
The MOTD pundit added: “It was really strange decision.”
How did Raphinha play for Leeds v Everton?
In our view, Raphinha struggled to make an impact for Leeds during his time on the pitch at Goodison Park.
The winger watched the game pass him by and really could not trouble the Everton defenders much.
Now, of course, you could argue that Raphinha could have stepped up his game in the second half had Bielsa kept him on the pitch, but we will never know.
Raphinha played one key pass, had a pass accuracy of 85%, took 31 touches, attempted two dribbles, made one tackle, and put in one cross.
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