- 2 hours ago
How Chelsea will line up with Raphinha
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 22 Feb 2022 09:32 GMT
- 4 min read
The Stamford Bridge side face competition primarily from Barcelona, but Arsenal are also interested in the former Rennes and Sporting CP star, but they are presently leading the race.
Although Leeds have struggled this season, Raphinha has confirmed a promising first season in the Premier League by netting nine times in 22 games and creating two more goals. He is well on his way to eclipsing his goal contribution of last term, in which he scored six in the Premier League and fashioned two more.
But how might the 25-year-old fit into their ranks?
PROFILE: Who is Raphinha? The dribbling machine who could join Chelsea
Chelsea with Raphinha
Raphinha is a versatile attacking player but typically features on the right wing for Leeds. He is a modern inverted winger who is very direct with his dribbling and is widely considered to be one of the Premier League’s most exciting stars.
He actually started and scored while playing in a centre-forward role against Chelsea this season, but while he can feature there in a pinch, the Blues have signed him to supplement their wide areas.
Chelsea have struggled to find a consistent presence on the right wing. Christian Pulisic continues to be troubled by injury and though hardly disastrous since moving from Borussia Dortmund has not proven himself to be indispensable. Similarly, Hakim Ziyech has blown hot and cold since joining from Ajax and Callum Hudson-Odoi has never done enough to secure the role.
It is fair to assume, then, that Raphinha is being signed as a starter in a 3-4-2-1 system.
He will be expected to provide more ammunition for Romelu Lukaku, who has looked isolated for much of the season at centre-forward. Mason Mount is likely to be the other main creative force in the Chelsea side.
The Blues lack a natural left winger, as demonstrated when Kai Havertz was fielded in that position against Crystal Palace, so unless they add to their ranks, they are unlikely to field a 4-2-3-1 formation regularly.
Instead, Ben Chilwell will expect to be back from injury to patrol the left flank, with N’Golo Kante and Jorginho in the heart of the field when they are at full strength. Reece James will be on the right.
Thiago Silva will remain a fulcrum of the defence and, all being well, he will be flanked by Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, although both need to sign new deals. Cesar Azpilicueta is also out of contract and looks the likeliest of the trio to leave, with Barcelona interested.
There will be no change in goal for Chelsea, with Edouard Mendy having excelled since joining from Rennes, where he was a team-mate of Raphinha.
