Beren Cross has admitted that putting Raphinha as a wing-back tonight for Leeds United would bring up big questions.
Leeds United have a very tough but crucial game at Elland Road tonight as they welcome Chelsea and while the Blues are sitting third in the Premier League, they’ve also failed to win any of their last three league matches which included a late collapse against Wolves before they lost away to Everton.
Would you like to see Raphinha at right back?
Yes!
No!
There is a glaringly obvious problem in the Leeds side heading into the game tonight and that’s at right-back with both Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling unavailable for selection and Cody Drameh having just completed his loan spell with Cardiff City.
Jesse Marsch now faces a conundrum about who to play at right-back with Cross worried that the American boss could put Leeds’ bets attacking outlet Raphinha in that slot to operate as a wing-back, he said:
‘Reading between the lines would suggest it’s unlikely, but if Marsch plays Raphinha as a wing-back he’s bringing big questions upon himself if they lose.’
TIF Thoughts on Raphinha at right back…
The Brazilian was thrust into that role recently against Manchester City when Dallas was cruelly taken off early due to a broken femur which saw Leeds put to the sword losing convincingly 4-0, so for Marsch to think doing the same would yield a different result would be very risky thinking.
However, given Leeds’ precarious position in the league table and other sides leapfrogging them in recent weeks, it could well be time for some out of the box thinking to try and bring about a positive result this evening.
If Raphinah was to be played in a much further back role then Marsch would surely have to ensure that the Brazilian still got forward as he’s their best route to getting three points given his 13 goal involvements put him way ahead of anyone else in the squad.
In other news: Last-ditch attempt: Phil Hay shares ‘one card Jesse Marsch has left to play’ at Leeds