Leeds United news: Raphinha may be axed from squad after update in last 24 hours – Mills
Danny Mills has suggested Raphinha may be axed from the Leeds United squad against Norwich City (13 March).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Whites and England defender claimed the 24-year-old have to make way for Patrick Bamford in the starting XI and because of his attitude it is pointless putting him on the bench.
Bamford returned to action in the 3-0 loss to Aston Villa on Thursday night (10 March) – only his second Premier League appearance since September.
As quoted by Leeds Live today (11 March), Jesse Marsch admitted he would be tempted to start the striker, 28, against Norwich.
“That would give them a little bit of a focal point,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I guess with Bamford coming back in Dan James’ position might change.
“With Raphinha, there was clearly one or two issues with him leading up to Marcelo Bielsa being relieved of his duties. He was taken off and then dropped for the Manchester United games.
“There has been murmurings all along he was looking for a move and there has obviously been a little bit of interest.
“Since Christmas, he hasn’t shown anywhere near the type of form that we’ve seen previously.
“Jesse Marsch will have to look at that. They are playing Norwich, it’s not a must-win but it is a must not-lose game, that’s for sure.
“Raphinha, even if he’s a little bit not quite at it, is he more likely to create and score? Possibly.
“Is it worth even taking him if he’s on the bench? His attitude hasn’t been the greatest.
“I know he came on and did well against Man United for 10 minutes. Sometimes players like that you might as well not bother taking him than putting him on the bench.
“It’s a difficult call for Jesse Marsch to make.”
In other news, a £70million-rated Leeds United star has been told by a leading agency ‘we’ll get you to Liverpool’.