‘That’s the truth’: Jesse Marsch says he hasn’t gotten enough out of one ‘fantastic’ Leeds player

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Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Jesse Marsch has been discussing Raphinha and his place in this Leeds United team.

The Brazilian is evidently one of the Whites’ most important players. After all, he is the club’s top scorer this season and he’s bailed the club out on a number of occasions.

However, since Marsch took over from Marcelo Bielsa, Raphinha’s influence has waned and perhaps that’s why Leeds now find themselves in the bottom three.

Indeed, Raphinha has just one goal and one assist to his name since Marsch became Leeds boss, and the American himself even admits that he’s not getting enough out of the winger.

What’s been said?

Marsch spoke about Raphinha.

“He is a fantastic talent, we haven’t gotten enough out of him, that’s the truth. We’ve tried to find ways to play with him a bit wider, we’ve tried to find ways to get him in transition moments a bit more, we’ve tried to get him around the goal more,” Marsch said.

“Against the best opponents we’re not going to be in the final third for 50 per cent of the game where we can get him on the ball, so that means getting him in transition and getting him on the ball in those moments is where he can be dangerous. We’ll figure out how to get him the ball more, how to get him in more space and how to get him on the move so he can be dangerous,” Marsch said.

Tough

Marsch says he needs to find a way to get Raphinha having a bigger impact on these final games, but that’s easier said than done.

Leeds are in dire straits right now, and with the Whites’ next game being against Chelsea, they may, once again, struggle to get the ball forward.

At least under Bielsa, Leeds’ gung-ho style meant that Raphinha could flourish, but this more measured approach means that opportunities are few and far between, and when you have so much pressure and expectation on your shoulders, it’s so tough to make those moments count.

Raphinha could be the man to save Leeds this season, but Marsch needs to figure out how to get him back to his best ASAP.