Former Leeds United star David Norris insists that Raphinha has every attribute required to play as a number 10 for the club this season.
The Brazilian has been a bright spot for Marcelo Bielsa’s side despite their poor Premier League form.
Leeds have yet to win a game and have been thumped twice, 5-1 by Manchester United and 3-0 by Liverpool.
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Nevertheless, the Brazilian has scored three times and has been electric at points with his running and his trickery.
Raphinha has played as a right winger throughout the season but Transfermarkt stats show that he has played as a number 10 for Leeds in one previous game, in a 1-0 win over Everton in which he scored the winner.
And Norris believes that the star has the ability to thrive as a playmaker at Elland Road, should manager Marcelo Bielsa decide to deploy him in such a way throughout the remainder of the campaign.
He said: “I think a lot of the wingers with that type of quality and the way he plays can play as 10s. I think a lot of teams, you will see a winger who can drop in at 10 or a 10 out on the wing because of the type of players they are and the way they play.
“It will be making sure they get him on the ball, find him in them pockets, where he can turn and do his stuff, which will be on him as well. But from what I’ve seen of him, and I like him, I think that 10 role could suit him really well.”