Raphinha fought hard to leave Leeds United for Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
The winger’s form for the Whites last season attracted interest from the Premier League.
Chelsea were among the interested sides and had found an agreement with Leeds to take him to Stamford Bridge. The 25-year-old didn’t favour the Blues as he wanted to join the La Liga side.
This saw Jesse Marsch’s side agree a deal with the Catalan club and allowed the player to fulfil his dream. After a good start to his life in Spain, Raphinha has struggled to replicate his Leeds United form at the Camp Nou.
The Brazil international has managed a goal and an assist from 11 appearances and played the full 90 minutes only once. He has been substituted between the 60th and 65th minute on six occasions.
AS state that when Barca paid €60m to Leeds for the South American, it was believed he would take Ousmane Dembélé place in the squad. That didn’t happen since the Frenchman signed a new deal and both prefer to play on the right wing.
Xavi Hernández wants more from Raphinha, but he is unable to deliver. AS explain that’s because ‘anxiety makes him mix great actions with precipitation’ and the ex-Whites star is a ‘collateral victim’ of the manager’s ‘favouritism’ for Dembélé.
