Raphinha: How did Barcelona's new signing perform on his debut?

Raphinha’s name has been here, there and everywhere throughout the summer transfer window.

It really did feel at one point as though the former Leeds United winger was the subject of a wild tug-of-war between Chelsea, Arsenal and eventual suitors Barcelona.

In the end, though, Raphinha’s personal desire to sport the red and blue stripes prevailed with the Catalan giants eventually collecting enough pennies under the sofa cushions to get a deal over the line.

First things first, it’s a phenomenal signing for the Blaugrana because Raphinha never really got the credit he deserved for his superb performances across two seasons in the Premier League.

Despite playing for a team that eventually ran out of steam and evaded relegation by the skin of its teeth, the Brazil international still left England’s top-flight with a fantastic record of 17 goals and 12 assists from 65 outings.

And there’s every reason to believe that those sorts of numbers will do nothing but soar under the tutelage of Xavi and while surrounded by players who, with all due respect to Leeds, have a lot more in their locker.

However, Raphinha will still have to dig deep to make his Camp Nou switch worth the fuss because the competition in Barcelona‘s attacking positions is simply out of this world at the moment.

With everyone from Ferran Torres to Ousmane Dembele and Memphis Depay to Ansu Fati buzzing around the wide forward positions, Raphinha most certainly won’t be guaranteed a starting berth each week.

And that’s without mentioning the fact that Barcelona signed him to the tune of £49 million in the first place, which is quite the gamble when you consider the financial woes they’re currently wading through.

“Kounde DONE DEAL CLOSE! Man United Antony BID!”