Raphinha: Pundit predicts showdown talks as Leeds star left ‘fuming’
Raphinha will be “fuming” with Marcelo Bielsa after he admitted making an error with his team selection as Leeds United lost to Everton.
That’s according to former West Ham hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Bielsa’s “honest” admission.
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 Argentine also admitted his selection of Mateusz Klich was “an error on my part” as the Whites were forced to reshuffle at half-time.
McAvennie insists Raphinha will have been fuming upon hearing these remarks.
“We all know he got it wrong, Bielsa was honest as he always is,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“You are looking to get back into the game and you take off your best player? That’s the error, for me.
“He said it was a tactical decision to take off this brilliant player who could change the game, he will be fuming with that.
“I don’t get that. Surely you want to keep Raphinha happy because he is one of the best players there.
“I’m sure they will sort it out behind the scenes but I think it was a needless thing to do really, especially in a big game like that.”
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 Leeds United ace could be out for an extended period after “massive” news.