Ronaldinho has revealed he "loves" to watch Leeds United winger Raphinha play amid reported interest from Chelsea. The 25-year-old has been strongly linked with a move away from Elland Road in recent weeks.
The Brazil international has been in superb form this season (10 goals and three assists in the Premier League) for Leeds, despite the Whites struggling to replicate last campaign's form. According to a report from Football Transfers in February, Chelsea were leading the race to sign Raphinha, with Barcelona and Liverpool also said to be interested.
There's no doubting Raphinha's talent and ability. If there was any, surely that is no longer, with Brazil legend Ronaldinho speaking about how much he loves to watch his countryman play. "Coincidentally, Raphinha is from Porto Alegre, my city. I am a good friend of his father and have known him since I was a child," Ronaldinho said to Mundo Deportivo, via Sport BILD.
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"Coincidentally, today he works with Deco [ex-Barça player] and things are going very well for him. He is a very talented young man. I like to watch when Messi plays, it's worth it. Even if Ney[mar], if Mbappe play. But I love watching Raphinha play."
At the moment, Chelsea have a transfer ban following Roman Abramovich's being hit with sanctions from the UK government. However, should the club find a new owner before the summer transfer window, then it could be a busy window.
Raphinha may be on their list, but the Leeds attacker recently insisted that he remains focused on the job at hand at Elland Road. The winger said: "I've got a contract until 2024, my head is totally here and focused on Leeds.
"As for contractual matters, I leave them to my agent and to my dad. I just focus on playing my football and making the Leeds fans happy, scoring goals, providing assists and getting victories for the team. Contractual matters are for my agent, my focus is on making people happy with my football and doing as best as I can for Leeds."
