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Raphinha 2.0 ? Absolutely exclusive”- Farke now told must unearthed the new Raphinha in “electric” £50k-p/w Leeds star with 23 goals and 16 assists this season
Leeds United fans are all too familiar with the disappointment of missing out on promotion to the Premier League, having experienced it in recent years.
In Marcelo Bielsa’s first season in charge (2018/19), his side finished third in the Championship but fell short in the play-offs, losing to Derby County, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion to Sheffield United.
However, Leeds did secure promotion the following season, a feat they’ll be hoping to repeat this year after again falling short in the play-offs last term.
Last season, Leeds triumphed 4-0 over Norwich City in the play-off semi-finals but then suffered a 1-0 loss to Southampton in the final at Wembley.
Now, the Whites will hope to follow Bielsa’s blueprint of play-off heartbreak followed by Championship glory, which they are currently on track to achieve.
Under Bielsa, Leeds not only gained promotion but also managed to stay in the Premier League in their first season, which will be a much bigger challenge for Daniel Farke.
One of the key factors in their survival was the signing of Raphinha.
Raphinha’s Impact at Leeds United
Former sporting director Victor Orta made a brilliant move in signing Brazilian winger Raphinha from Ligue 1 side Rennes in the summer of 2020 for £17m, plus add-ons.
The signing proved to be a bargain, with Raphinha quickly making an impact at Elland Road and in the Premier League.
In the 2020/21 season, Raphinha delivered an impressive goal contribution every other game in his 30 appearances, as shown in the stats above. His ability to score and assist regularly was crucial in helping Leeds avoid relegation.
In the following season, Raphinha scored 11 goals and provided 3 assists in 35 appearances, again proving pivotal in Leeds’ survival, this time under Jesse Marsch.
His consistent presence and creativity in the final third were invaluable in the Premier League.
Raphinha ranked highly for both scoring and creating chances in comparison to his positional peers.
His move to Barcelona for £55m in the summer of 2022 left a significant void, and Leeds’ subsequent relegation highlighted just how crucial his talents were in their top-flight survival.
With promotion hopes now alive again, Leeds may need another winger with similar flair to Raphinha to ensure they can compete in the Premier League under Farke, should they make it there.
Dan James: Leeds’ Potential New Raphinha?
While Raphinha’s departure left a gap, Farke may have found a potential replacement in Welsh forward Dan James, who has been in excellent form over the past 18 months.
Although James’ Premier League record (12 goals and 12 assists in 106 appearances) hasn’t been stellar, his improved output under Farke suggests he has the potential to step up.
After a standout season at Swansea in 2018/19, where he registered 4 goals and 9 assists, James has shown major improvement in the Championship, recording 23 goals and 16 assists since the start of last season.
The hope is that James can carry this improved form into the Premier League, where his consistency in front of goal will be crucial for Leeds in their survival bid.
His 2023/24 performances in the Championship have placed him among the league’s top performers in both scoring and creating, highlighting his growing effectiveness under Farke’s management.
Though James is a different type of winger compared to Raphinha — being right-footed and operating on the right side — he has shown he can contribute regularly in both goals and assists, much like the Brazilian did for Leeds.
If James continues his current form, he could become the club’s next talisman in the Premier League.
