Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo have today conducted an interview with Raphinha, who joined Barcelona from Leeds United this summer and is already impressing for the Camp Nou side during pre-season.
It turns out that the website released a separate story from their chat with the player, where they only talked about the Whites’ former boss Marcelo Bielsa and the impact he had on the winger’s development.
First asked about ‘what kind’ of manager the Argentine is, Raphinha gave him some credit for the move to Barcelona.
“He’s a coach who helped me a lot from the first moment I arrived at Leeds,” Raphinha told Mundo Deportivo.
“He always demands more, always demands maximum performance. He helped me get to the national team and helped me get to Barça. If it wasn’t for his teachings, as a group or individually, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
Raphinha was also quizzed about the ‘main characteristic’ Bielsa has.
“In addition to having a style of play that is always respectful of the ball, he seeks maximum performance in training and in games, he was an important person for me and for my career, I will always carry him with me.”
Despite the winger’s shirt time working under Xavi Hernandez, he was also asked if the Spanish boss shares any similarities with Bielsa.
“They are different, Marcelo has a unique way of working. It’s the ‘Marcelo Bielsa style’, let’s call it that. Every coach is different. Just as each person has a way of leading his life, each player and each coach is different in their work.”
Raphinha’s career path has been varied and his experience under Bielsa at Elland Road certainly helped take him to the next level and eventually Barcelona, with multiple clubs in the Premier League also being keen. Little by little, the winger passed through clubs such as Avaí, Vitória Guimarães, Sporting, Rennes, and then Leeds, before finally arriving at the La Liga giants.
