FC BARCELONA
Raphinha’s angry personality for FC Barcelona have people asking questions: is he leaving in summer?
The Brazilian has been substituted almost thirty times and his reactions are beginning to have negative consequences.
Although Xavi insisted that what would worry him is seeing players who don’t mind being substituted, the repeated angry reaction shown by Raphinha every time he comes off, has started to generate a sense of unease in the dressing room. Both the staff and players agree that there are rules to be respected and that one can have a specific outburst, but that it must not turn into behaviour or habit. The player promised to correct his ways, but he is yet to do so.
The numbers for Raphinha are devastating: he has only finished one of the 28 games in which he has started. That one instance came on September 3 against Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán. In terms of angry Raphinha, his biggest expression of anger was against Manchester United and then again last Sunday against Getafe, he had been the most dangerous player on the team, hitting the post and forcing David Soria into a save, as well as creating chances that neither Ansu nor Lewandowski put away.
Raphinha and Dembélé are fighting for the same position
Raphinha has been a player under constant debate in Barcelona ever since his arrival. His numbers, nine goals and nine assists in 41 games, are quite similar to those of Dembélé. However, the Brazilian is accused of a certain lack of brilliance and decisiveness in one on one moments. His goals in Pamplona, Sevilla or against Valencia, and his decisive assists at Mestalla or against Getafe do not win over a certain amount of critics, who consider that it is not enough for a player who has cost €60 million.
The footballer, for his part, feels like a victim of Xavi’s changes. The truth is that some comparisons are indeed unfair. Lewandowski, for example, has played 29 full games and plays in a completely different position. But the numbers of the striker speak for themselves; there is no debate regarding Lewa’s performances.
Could Raphinha leave FC Barcelona at the end of the season?
In addition to the substitutions, Raphinha has been subject of rumour after rumour regarding his future. Although it was a signing that Laporta fought for due to his good relationship with Deco, his agent, Barça’s urgent need for income continues to make him in a genuine sale option as well as those already on the for-sale list, such as Kessié, Ferran, and Ansu.
Raphinha has a love affair with the Premier League and when it comes to wiggling into the salary limit with Araújo, Balde and Gavi, in addition to signing Pedri, he must be sold. Everyone at the club is in agreement that Deco will return the favour and the footballer, used to moving from country to country, will accept a proposal if it comes his way.
