Leeds United news: Bielsa is forcing Raphinha out after new twist in bust-up – pundit
Raphinha will be demanding his agent engineers his Leeds United exit after he was dropped against Man United on Sunday (20 February).
That is the view of ex-Aston Villa and England attacker Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Marcelo Bielsa’s “baffling” call against Man United.
Raphinha had been substituted at half-time the previous weekend against Everton before being dropped to the bench against the Reds.
The Athletic‘s Phil Hay reported yesterday (21 February) the winger and Bielsa held private talks in midweek so the manager could explain his decision.
“Raphinha won’t be there at the start of next season, I will put anything on it,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.
“He will have been so angry to not start against Manchester United when he’s the best player in the team. He will have been fuming and onto his agent ‘Get me out of here’.
“The manager is stubborn. I don’t understand Bielsa, you’re that stubborn that you won’t even play your best player against Manchester United? Leeds fans were even baffled.
“There’s a rivalry between the teams and you leave Raphinha on the bench? Look how well he did when he came on, it just didn’t make sense.
“Leeds fans should be very worried because if I was in his position, I’d be onto my agent telling him to get me out in the summer.
“I think he would have stayed for another season if he was being treated rightly by the manager. For him, to have the audacity to not start him in the biggest game of the season, he’ll be gone in the summer.
“It doesn’t matter that he’s not been at his very best when you’re a superstar like he is in that team.
“Without him next season that team will struggle so they should be treating him like a superstar. He should be the first name on the teamsheet because he can change a game in a second.”
In other news, a Leeds United employee has tipped a 25-year-old to be axed against Liverpool amid a ‘100%’ verdict.