Marcelo Bielsa hails ‘gifted and spontaneous’ Raphinha as Leeds winger prepares for battle of the Brazilians against Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho
- Marcelo Bielsa was delighted to keep Raphinha amid West Ham interest
- He will line up against fellow Brazilian Philippe Coutinho on Wednesday night
- Bielsa is not convinced that he has managed to improve unpredictable winger
- He said: ‘He’s a player who has natural talent. He is superbly gifted physically’
Marcelo Bielsa has hailed the impact of ‘gifted’ Raphinha ahead of Wednesday night’s battle of the Brazilians.
The 25-year-old Leeds winger has scored eight Premier League goals so far this season and attracted interest from a string of clubs in last month’s transfer window, including West Ham.
But the Whites were able to keep hold of Raphinha and he will line up at Villa Park tonight against countryman Philippe Coutinho, who he started alongside in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier in Ecuador last month.
Philippe Coutinho (left) and Raphina (right) will go from Brazil team-mates to club rivals
‘If there’s a player that I haven’t influenced, it’s Raphinha,’ said Leeds boss Bielsa when asked how he has improved his talisman. ‘There’s nothing that Raphinha does that I can link to me.
‘He’s a player who has natural talent, that’s spontaneous. He is superbly gifted physically.
‘He has the talent to resolve things by inventing. He knows how to make the right decisions.
‘He sees the solution that the play needs and he implements it. His evolution at Leeds doesn’t depend on me.’
Leeds did not make a single senior signing in the January window despite an injury crisis, while Steven Gerrard’s Villa recruited four new first-team players, including Coutinho on loan from Barcelona.
The talented winger was a target for West Ham in the January transfer window
Coutinho is on loan at Aston Villa from Barcelona and regaining his form again
‘He’s a player with prestige and his past speaks for itself,’ added Bielsa on Coutinho. ‘What Gerrard has managed thus far at Aston Villa has been good because he’s been able to put his stamp on things very quickly.’
Leeds have opened talks with Raphinha over a new contract, with his current deal expiring in 2024.
‘My head is here, totally focused on Leeds,’ said Raphinha this week. ‘As for contractual matters, I leave them for my agent and my dad.
‘I just focus on my football, making Leeds fans happy, scoring goals, providing assists and getting victories for the team.’
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