Eddie Gray makes Raphinha admission and salutes modern day star winger - YEP 14/12/21
Leeds United legend Eddie Gray believes Raphinha could play for any team in the Premier League - but is loving seeing the Brazilian strut his stuff for the Whites.
By Lee Sobot
Leeds signed Raphinha from French outfit Rennes for £17m in
October 2020 and the winger is now a Brazilian international and a regular
starter for both club and country.
The 24-year-old bagged six goals and nine assists in his
first Premier League season at Leeds and already has seven goals and one assist
for the 2021-22 campaign.
Back in the 60s and 70s, Gray was United's star winger for
Don Revie's all conquering Whites and United legend Gray is a huge fan of
Raphinha's talents.
"The boy is a top player," Gray told the YEP,
assessing the winger's standing in all time Leeds stars.
"The only thing I would say is that it is always
difficult to compare players from different eras but what I would say is, I
don't think he would look out of place in any team in the Premier League so
that's all you can say at the present time.
"If he played for any team in the Premier League, he
would look good.
"Can you imagine him playing for Liverpool? Yep. Can
you imagine him playing for Man City? The boy can play.
"It's difficult to compare players from the past and
the present but at the present time, he is good enough to play in any
side."
Pressed on whether Raphinha might be the most skilful Leeds
player since himself, Gray pondered: "I don't even think of things like
that!
"All I know is that he could play in any side.
"I enjoy watching him and he is a vital component to
our side, that's the thing about it and I think everybody at the club will know
that.