Raphinha has told AS he felt lucky from day one at Elland Road to have a ‘special’ manager like Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United, where he hopes to play Champions League football.
The Brazilian joined Bielsa in West Yorkshire last October after a £17m transfer from Stade Rennes. Leaving France after a taste of European football in the Europa League in 2019/20.
He had a slow start with three substitute outings in his first four Premier League games, but has been vital since. Starting 36 of his next 37 appearances from a possible 41 fixtures.
Raphinha’s only absences at Leeds have come through injury or after representing Brazil.
The 24-year-old made his Selecao debut in Venezuela last month and scored twice against Uruguay. But the latter tie came too close to feature in the Whites’ defeat at Southampton.
Tite gave Raphinha his second Brazil start against Colombia last Friday and could field the Leeds forward against Argentina on Tuesday night. Coming as a much-deserved reward after scoring five goals in 10 Premier League appearances so far this season.
Raphinha feels Bielsa’s work has made the Leeds squad raise their performances. Noting how he saw from an early stage how the Argentine gives his all for the club.
“From my first days at the club, I already saw how special Bielsa was,” Raphinha said. “He is a guy who works a lot, who knows a lot about soccer.
“He is the typical professional, who dedicates 100% of his time to the institution he represents. We are very lucky that he is our coach.
“He knows how to get the most out of each one of us. This makes us raise our level.”
Raphinha eyes Champions League football at Leeds
Raphinha enjoyed a stellar debut campaign under Bielsa at Leeds last season as he offered six goals and nine assists. Helping the Whites finish the Premier League term ninth.
The Elland Road outfit also only missed out on a place in Europe via the Europa Conference League by three-points. But have struggled so far this season, to find themselves just 15th.
Nonetheless, Raphinha has eyes on helping to bring Champions League football to Leeds in the near future. With the competition a clear objective on a personal level.
“Of course it is,” Raphinha added. “I am very happy at Leeds and hopefully we can play the Champions League.”
Leeds will need a huge turn around across the Premier League to secure Champions League football this term. With the Whites 11-points behind fourth-place Liverpool after 11 games.
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