Leeds tipped to promote ‘hungry young gem’ to replace Raphinha after early team news
Leeds United could promote a “gem” from their youth academy to replace Raphinha if he is not passed fit to face Norwich City.
So says ex-Whites shot-stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider ahead of the clash with the Canaries on Sunday.
Raphinha left Elland Road on crutches after he was on the receiving end of a wild Roman Saiss challenge in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wolves.
Injury expert Ben Dinnery told this site on 27 October that he feared the Brazilian winger could be unavailable until mid-November.
But as reported by Leeds Live today (29 October), Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has refused to rule out a return to play for Raphinha this weekend.
Bielsa has handed debuts to the likes of Joe Gelhardt and Crysencio Summerville this season.
Kenny argues that another rising star could be given the nod if Raphinha does not make the cut on Sunday.
He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “Raphinha will be a massive loss for them if he’s going to be out for a while.
“It would make sense for them to bring someone in from the youth team, like they did recently with Gelhardt.
“We know they have got great attacking options. There’s Harrison, Roberts, Rodrigo, and Bamford will be coming back.
“It will give them a little boost if they bring one of these gems from the academy.
“With someone young and hungry like that, you never know what can happen.”
In other news, ex-manager raises Leeds United relegation fears after Bielsa’s Diego Llorente confession.