Leeds United winger Raphinha has been linked with a move away from Elland Road this summer. Reports have suggested that Barcelona are leading the race to sign the 25-year-old, with Liverpool and Chelsea also keen.
There is no surprise why some of the top European clubs are interested in the Brazil international given his impressive record since he joined the Whites from Rennes in October 2020. Raphinha has scored 15 goals and grabbed 12 assists in 59 appearances in all competitions.
Having directly contributed to 16 goals last season, Raphinha was rewarded with his first Brazil call-up at the start of the season and he is set to make the squad for the World Cup in Qatar later this year. He has played eight more games for Tite's side and has further grown his reputation in his home country.
Although it has been a mixed season for Leeds, Raphinha has been their standout player, having started 26 of their 30 games. He is the top scorer with nine and has also notched the most assists (three), proving to be vital in their pursuit of staying in the Premier League.
The Whites currently sit 16th, seven points clear of the relegation zone, and the talented forward has been partially responsible for some important results. Raphinha scored the winner in crucial victories over Norwich City and Crystal Palace, while he netted in draws against Newcastle United, Leicester City and Everton.
Raphinha has been a key cog to the Leeds attack all season and it is backed up by the statistics. No player has recorded more shots on target at the Whites this term than Raphinha (20).
West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen (28) has registered the most efforts on goal out of the Other14 clubs in the division, with James Maddison (25) and Ivan Toney (25) in the top-three. Raphinha is joint-eighth on the list, while he is the only Leeds player in the top-20, demonstrating the lack of quality in attacking areas.
He has hit the woodwork more times than any other Leeds team-mate with five and has been unfortunate to not score more goals this season. Raphinha last found the net in a 4-2 defeat by Manchester United on February 20 but could've easily scored against Leicester City and Norwich City before the international break.
Rodrigo, Daniel James and Jack Harrison have all had considerably less shots than Raphinha this season and Leeds haven't looked as potent when he's not in the team. The exception was the 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, but the Whites were below-par for the opening 60 minutes before Raul Jimenez was sent off just after half-time.
With an average of 2.1 key passes per-game, Raphinha is also their best creative outlet. He is the only Leeds player to conjure-up more than two chances this term, with James (1.4), Rodrigo (1.3) and Mateusz Klich (1.1) all registering more than one. It is an issue that Marsch must resolve if the Brazilian is to leave the club as the lack of quality in midfield positions is clear to see with this statistic.
Jeremy Doku, Noa Lang and Ryan Kent have all been linked to replace Raphinha at the Whites, but it would take something spectacular to replicate the impact the latter has had in West Yorkshire. Only time will tell whether he decides to stay or not, but Marsch needs to figure out a plan to try and replace his ability in possession.
