Leeds United football writer Beren Cross has explained why the club are in danger of losing Raphinha for an upcoming match.
The Whites host Liverpool on 12th September, but they may be missing their star winger for the match.
The Brazilian has been called up to his national team for the upcoming international break, which will see him face Chile, Argentina, and Peru in the week leading up to the match against the Reds.
Raphinha becomes only the second player in Leeds history to be named in Brazil’s national squad, after World Cup winner Roque Junior. He will likely hope to feature in both South America and England over that particular weekend.
But, while Raphinha will no doubt be delighted with this first international cap, quarantine rules of international travel have left doubt over his ability to feature for the club in the Premier League so shortly after his return to the country.
While talking about the matter on a Leeds United Live Facebook video, Cross explained the situation: “I’m sure the Premier League will find a way to avoid this isolation issue. The size and weight of the Premier League as an organisation will surely find some loophole to avoid it.
“But as it stands, Raphinha’s playing three games on the bounce and then he’s gonna be missing the next 10 days.”
TIF Thoughts on Raphinha and Leeds…
BBC reporter Simon Stone explained earlier this month that there could be quarantine issues for players returning to England from South America.
Even without that concern, he added that Brazil’s final game will finish on Friday morning (UK time). This alone would cause a lot of trouble for any players involved in Brazil, as the Liverpool game kicks off at 4.30pm on Sunday.
Interestingly, Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino have also been called up into the squad, so they could also miss the fixture unless the Premier League steps in and provides some kind of ‘loophole’ to solve the issue.
Therefore, Raphinha’s absence may in turn come with Liverpool’s side also being depleted ahead of their meeting in three weeks’ time.