Journalist Joe Donnohue has claimed that Raphinha was not happy during Leeds United’s latest Premier League game as he felt like he was being targeted by the opposition.
Raphinha has been the star man in a struggling Leeds side this season – he has scored nine times and grabbed two assists in 26 Premier League games, according to Transfermarkt.
The Brazilian has been heavily linked with a move away from Elland Road with Liverpool and Chelsea among his potential suitors.
Joe Donnohue was reporting on the game against Aston Villa for Leeds Live and noticed Raphinha displaying his frustrations in the 35th minute after being consistently fouled.
He said: “Referee Simon Hooper awards Leeds a free-kick for an arm pull on Raphinha. The Brazilian is not happy at all. He feels he’s been targeted. Elland Road applauds the rare decision.”
TIF Thoughts on Raphinha…
The Brazilian winger was excellent in the first half of the Premier League season, but his form of late has been poor, with him being awarded, player ratings of 6.4 in both of his previous games by SofaScore.
Raphinha was heaped with praise for his standout performances in the earlier stages of the season, with Phil Hay writing in The Athletic: In an attacking sense, Raphinha is consistently head and shoulders above everyone.”
Since the turn of the year, Raphinha has been a fraction of himself on the pitch, and his poor form has meant that Leeds have had no outlet going forward, while they have failed to score in four Premier League games.
With the rumours of a transfer away from Elland Road, could Raphinha already have his eyes on another club, which has caused the drop in form for the Brazilian?