Bielsa decision has triggered 'reaction' from £36m Leeds star

Journalist Dean Jones believes Marcelo Bielsa may have dropped Raphinha from his starting line-up at Leeds to get a “reaction” from the winger.

Raphinha has been a key player for Leeds this term, netting nine goals, but he was surprisingly left out of the side’s starting XI recently.

According to WhoScored, Raphinha has been Leeds’ best player in 2021/22 as he has been given an average match rating of 7.06.

However, Bielsa still opted to take him off at half-time during the team’s 3-0 defeat to Everton earlier this month.

The following week, Bielsa caused an even bigger shock when he named his side to take on Manchester United, and Raphinha was only on the bench.

The 25-year-old was introduced to the action at half-time, though, and he quickly got himself on the scoresheet, which was enough to see him recalled to the starting line-up against Liverpool on Wednesday.

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Jones thinks Bielsa may have omitted Raphinha to make it clear that he wanted more from the Brazil international.

Reflecting on the call, Jones suggested that it worked as the £36m-rated forward came off the bench and made an impact against United.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Maybe Bielsa has made his point. Maybe he’s got what he wanted out of him. He’s got that reaction, got the performance level up.”

It would be somewhat of a surprise if he did get left out again.

Leeds do have some useful options out wide in the shape of Jack Harrison and Daniel James, but neither have produced the same end product as Raphinha on a consistent basis this term.

After a torrid week that has seen the side ship 10 goals in two matches against United and Liverpool, there can be little doubt that Leeds are