Leeds United news: Kenny tells Bielsa to learn from ‘strange’ move that ‘hurt the team;
It was “strange” for Marcelo Bielsa to take Raphinha off at halftime as Leeds United lost to Everton last weekend.
That’s according to former Whites stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Bielsa’s decision.
Raphinha, 25, was hauled off at half-time as Leeds fell to a 3-0 defeat at Goodison Park on Saturday (12 February).
Speaking post-match, as quoted by Leeds Live, the Whites boss confirmed the move was a purely tactical one.
The Brazilian has scored eight league goals for Leeds this season, more than any of his teammates.
He also holds the joint-top amount of assists (2) and, as a result, Kenny can’t understand why Raphinha was sacrificed against Everton.
“I thought taking off Raphinha was a strange decision myself,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“He’s an excellent player and plays a big part in how that Leeds United team play.
“You are 2-0 down and you take him off, I find that strange. It might have been a tactical move but I don’t get it, it hurt the team.
“They were 2-0 down to an Everton side who have been struggling, something wasn’t working.
“Bielsa’s change clearly didn’t work either so that decision doesn’t look great in hindsight.
“I’m sure Leeds will be disappointed because it was a bad result but you can only hope they learn from it.”
Leeds are next in action against Manchester United on Sunday (20 February).
As it stands, the Whites are 15th in the league and six points off the relegation places.
In other news, medical expert fears one Whites ace could be out for an extended period after “massive” news.