Roy Keane told Super Sunday on Sky Sports (29/08/21 at 1:45 pm) that Raphinha wouldn’t get into the Leeds United team ‘if he didn’t have the workrate’.
The TV pundit made reference to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has returned to the Premier League, and how he has that ‘workrate’ and ‘desire’ to his game.
On Sunday, Leeds recorded a 1-1 draw at Burnley, with Raphinha playing his part in his side scoring a late equaliser.
The left-footed trickster put former Leeds man, Charlie Taylor, on his backside before firing a shot at goal that eventually was stabbed home by Patrick Bamford.
This is what Keane had to say when asked about Raphinha, especially his sprints, which is the most in the Leeds team.
“If he didn’t have that workrate then he wouldn’t be in that team,” said Keane. “That’s first and foremost if you want to be a top footballer, we were talking about Ronaldo, you have to have that workrate and desire.
“We have to be fair that all the Leeds players seem to have that, at the moment. They have a spring in their step – Leeds are the entertainers of the Premier League.”
Raphinha looks effortless on the ball and his flicks and tricks are backed up by serious final third quality.
The manner in which he carries the ball, his ability to go both ways, added with his confidence to pull out any trick in the book and sprinkled with speed, then it’s understandable how he can be a nightmare for many.
With him in the side, many Leeds fans will be thinking they can push further than their top ten finish from last season, in other words, Europe.
But, during these early opening exchanges of the new season, they are yet to get off the mark with a win, although performances suggest there isn’t much to worry about.
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