11 - Raphinha

Raphinha not being a 1v1 dribbler from out wide was said before he signed.

Always been that he needs to have freedom and thrives in chaos and being allowed to move into areas off ball.
 
That little analysis of his game yesterday. After coming back from injury playing about 20 minutes when we were in chill mode is the definition of unnecessary 😂.
 
He's better at LW/SS because he plays the "dumbed down" version of himself as you say. On the right he wants to do too much, he wants to dribble, run with the ball from the sideline inwards and create while he's much better when he has less of the ball and plays more without it. Being on the left/free role naturally forces him to play more like that.
 
Hansi Flick: "Raphinha is unbelievable. At this level, he's one of our most important players."

"He stays. For me, he stays here for many years. I'm happy to have him back."
 
Imagine a world we get 90m for him. I'd take that instantly for a 29 yr old passion merchant who scores mostly 1v1 goals. Which is good and all don't get me wrong but lets not forget him tearing his hamstring like an idiot when we needed him most and basically ending our season early. Dumb as hell and not worth rewarding here much longer
 
Who do you get who is capable of matching his output?

You can sell him at 32-33 and still get good money from Arabian teams.

1st match after injury and man of the match. Scored two goals out of nothing.

He ain't going nowhere until you have a replacement lined up. And even then he has to agree to finish his career at 29, and Flick has to sign off on it. 0% chances all 3 happen.

Best plan is extend for 4-5 seasons and sell in 2-3 years. You need to have him tied with the club until 34 or so, and when rich teams from Arabia want him at 32, they pay up.
 
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No one knows how long Saudi money will last and to renew him most likely have to offer a large salary in his early 30s.

If he sees likes of Lewa going there and getting a fortune it must be tempting having not had a career of huge contracts.
 
Obviously not a player you push out the door
But has a fan boy of his, you see the logic in selling it a crazy offer comes along.

The question is indeed who do you replace him with.
 
Sure, sell if the offer is too good to pass, Raphi is willing to leave, and you've identified a worthy replacement available under the constraints we're facing.

In other words, when pigs fly.
 
Who comes close to the output he has? Mbappe, Luiz Diaz. Thats all.

Dont see a player with similar output than these. We are heavily reliant on him scoring & having a good game against bigger opponents.

You take out his scoring, we have to compensate for it with a Top striker.
 
A lot of the output is down to Flicks system and how much leeway he gives to the attacking four with a lot of that slack to be covered by the rest of the team.

This season for example Raphinha is not some huge outlier. The season has been stop start a bit for him but also missed most of the tougher games.
 
Thats true.

But correct me if I am wrong, out off our front 4, only Raphinha & Lewa consistently outperform their xGs right? I mean they have higher Goals/xG ratio than the rest.
 
There is nothing to suggest he is on the decline and not living up to 24/25 doesnt mean he is either.

Injuries been an issue but he has played a part in that by over exerting himself at bad times.
 
JamDav1982 said:
There is nothing to suggest he is on the decline and not living up to 24/25 doesnt mean he is either.
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Brazilian, injuries, and his high work rate aren’t really players who tend to stay at the top past 30.

There’s a reason players past 30 except for Ronaldo don’t go for massive transfer fees.
 
Messigician said:
Brazilian, injuries, and his high work rate aren’t really players who tend to stay at the top past 30.

There’s a reason players past 30 except for Ronaldo don’t go for massive transfer fees.
Click to expand...

Thats a bit of a myth about Brazil players.

There have been a number who have played at high level in early 30s also.
 
JamDav1982 said:
Thats a bit of a myth about Brazil players.

There have been a number who have played at high level in early 30s also.
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Not forwards or Wingers

Robinho, Ronaldinho, Neymar, Kaka, Pato
Adriano
Alexandre Pato
Robinho
Ronaldinho
Neymar
Douglas Costa
Denílson
Kerlon
Leandro Damião
Nilmar
Gabriel Barbosa
Luan
Philippe Coutinho
Lucas Moura

List is long I’m afraid
 
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