Raphinha spent two seasons at Leeds United before leaving the Premier League side for Barcelona in the last transfer window.
The winger’s fine displays for the Whites not only helped him seal a dream move to the Camp Nou, but also make his debut for Brazil in October 2021. He has been a regular for the national team since then and is currently part of their squad at the World Cup.
Tite has used the 25-year-old on the right wing in Qatar and it is the same position his club teammates, Ferran Torres and Ousmane Dembélé, have been deployed for Spain and France in the FIFA tournament.
Domènec García points this out in his column for Mundo Deportivo and adds that the La Liga side have three players for one position. The trio feel comfortable while operating on the right side of attack.
The Blaugrana paid €50m to take Raphinha away from Elland Road and given the Catalan club’s financial situation, this signing has been an ‘inexplicable waste’. Domènec García also adds, and is clearly trying to make a point with this, that the deal saw Deco earn €10m in commission.
Raphinha has not managed to replicate his Leeds form at Barca this season and has managed two goals and four assists from 17 matches.