Chris Sutton is discouraging Leeds United from selling Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips in this transfer window.
The Whites were very close to getting relegated from the Premier League last season, and they only managed to survive the English top-flight because of the performance of some of their key men.
Raphinha is one of them, but he could be in the squad of another club by the 2022/2023 season.
Arsenal is keen to add the Brazilian attacker to their group, and there is competition from Barcelona for his signature.
Either of these clubs will almost certainly sign him eventually, but Sutton thinks it is a bad idea to sell him.
He warns, as quoted by The Daily Mail: ‘They are going to have to do some recruiting themselves, Leeds.
‘That was a legitimate criticism (on Leeds not bulking up the squad). Bielsa liked to work with a small and thin squad. They got away with it last season.
‘But if you are a Leeds fan, you are thinking “blimey, our two star men are off. How are we going to stay in the Premier League next season?”‘
Just Arsenal Opinion
Leeds is not one of the biggest clubs in England, and they should be used to selling their main men now.
They will likely have lined up replacements for the winger, and a move away will see them sign one of them quickly.
Sutton’s concerns are valid, but it would always be hard for a club like the Whites to turn down big-money offers for their player.
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” Chris Sutton discourages Leeds not to sell Raphina “…Does anyone seriously think that Leeds will take any notice of what Sutton thinks. Leeds will do what they think is best for their club. This is a man who continuously on Talks*** issues controversial statements, whether he believes them or not, just to get a reaction.
this signing looking shaky now. chelsea have joined the race.
Sadly I’m surrounded by Leeds fans and most seem quite happy with selling Raphinha and, to a lesser extent Phillips, as long as the 100m or so is reinvested wisely into a deeper squad. Makes sense to me. Like the article says, Biesla left them with a thin squad (still think their best move would be to sign Dyche though)
I’m not surprised they’re happy.
They’re happy because it would be like Arsenal selling Pepe for £60 million.
Seems that Chelski have gotten hold of Raphinha. But I still think he’s way over priced and way over rated. And after watching a YouTube programme on his stats, he was just very mediocre. The only thing he was any good at was tracking back. But as a winger, we wouldn’t want him at the back all the time.
So…
Now it’s time for Arsenal to put in a seriously good offer for Lisandro Martinez and secure the transfer of this real quality player.