Journalist Conor McGilligan has likened rumoured Leeds United transfer target Lewis O’Brien to Raphinha.
With the transfer market soon to be upon us, talk is already beginning to build momentum regarding a possible switch to the Premier League for the Huddersfield Town man.
Indeed, a recent report in The Sun has claimed that the Whites may swoop for O’Brien this summer, with the midfielder having been on the club’s radar in the past.
Reacting to the news, McGilligan was full of praise for the Terriers ace. He even went as far as to compare him with Leeds‘ Brazilian winger for the way he is the one player in the team to possess that star ‘quality’.
Speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel following O’Brien’s performance in the Championship play-off final, he said: “I thought [he] was excellent again, the only player – it’s a little bit like Raphinha with the Leeds squad – almost the only offensive quality that they actually have. So Raphinha was sometimes looking around and going, is there any quality in and around me?
“Lewis O’Brien is doing the exact same thing. Excellent ball-carrying ability, always wins free kicks; if he’s on the ball, he’ll try take a man on; if someone touches him, he’ll go down. He never loses it – he never, ever loses it.
“I could not for the life of me understand some Leeds fans – and I get football’s subjective – who were turning round in January saying ‘£8m is too much’. Well, is £8m too much now?
“It is not. This guy’s been absolutely excellent for Huddersfield Town this season, has got them to the play-off final – I will say single-handedly.”
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During Sunday’s play-off final against Nottingham Forest, O’Brien, who has been described as a ‘very special talent’, was given a 7.0 SofaScore match rating as he completed four out of four dribbles, while being fouled five times and winning 10 ground duels.
Looking at that, and judging from McGilligan’s comments, it’s clear how important the player is for the Terriers – which is why the Raphinha comparison is made, as opposed to it being about their style of play and the level of talent they possess.
The Brazilian scored 11 goals and added a further three assists in the Premier League this past season, and he was obviously a leading player when it came to influencing games – much like O’Brien.
Of course, Raphinha could leave the Whites this summer. Even if Leeds signed the Huddersfield man, for all his quality, the Brazilian would still probably be sorely missed.