Who remembers when each team had a flair player? The likes of Jay-Jay Okocha, Hatem Ben Arfa and Juninho? Many may believe those days are gone, but Leeds United’s Raphinha is out to prove otherwise.<\/p>\n
They were never the most conventionally effective footballers, but their ability to capture your imagination was something to behold. It\u2019s sad to see that their numbers in the Premier League<\/a> have been slowly but surely declining.<\/p>\n A growing preference for hard working athletes seems very apparent. It\u2019s been going on for a while, an earlier example being Jose Mourinho\u2019s<\/a> treatment of Juan Mata. Mata wasn\u2019t a \u201cflair player\u201d by definition, he was very technically skilled, but didn\u2019t put in the defensive shift that Mourinho wanted. So, he was dropped and subsequently sold.<\/p>\n Mourinho was setting a precedent for creative attacking players who did not possess a high work rate off the ball. Do the work, or go elsewhere. Many other Premier League managers have similar approaches, where unquestioning tactical totalitarianism reigns supreme. A key proponent of this is Leeds United manager, Marcelo Bielsa<\/a>.<\/p>\n What a campaign it\u2019s been for Leeds. After years of toiling around in the Football League, this year feels like a deserved payoff for the Elland Road masses.<\/p>\n A major part of their tenacious season has been their stellar recruitment. Many teams, when making the jump from the Championship, simply do not have the resources to compete.<\/p>\n Leeds spent shrewdly, didn\u2019t rely too much on their summer signings and sit comfortably in 10th<\/sup>. They are already mathematically safe from relegation. Bielsa\u2019s system works, there\u2019s little doubt about that.<\/p>\n How are these two things related? It\u2019s simple \u2013 Leeds United’s Raphinha.<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, a big part of Leeds\u2019 success this year is the uniform adherence to Bielsa\u2019s system. They clearly have the utmost respect and trust in their manager, and it\u2019s reflected in their stout-hearted performances.<\/p>\n An approach like this can be limiting to a player\u2019s creative output. However, Bielsa has no problem with allowing his team to express themselves. It\u2019s this that has allowed Leeds to outscore the likes of Everton<\/a> and Arsenal over the course of the season.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a system with balance. Leeds United’s players are rigorously drilled, but Raphinha<\/a> adds a level of unpredictability to their attacks. \u00a0An x-factor like Raphinha can be invaluable when trying to unlock the Premier League\u2019s most robust of defences.<\/p>\n Something else to note \u2013 generally, Bielsa will select players who have been at the club longer over new signings. This was shown early in the season, when he elected to play Patrick Bamford over the newly signed Rodrigo<\/a>. Raphinha has not had this issue breaking into the first team, which shows the faith the Argentine has in him.<\/p>\n Furthermore, it also displays that creative, individualistic players can still have a place in a well-disciplined team. As English clubs tend to look at how teams perform as a collective, rather than banking on individuals, this is crucial for the future of flair players.<\/p>\n It\u2019s good to see exciting players like Raphinha making a comeback in the game. He\u2019s not alone \u2013 Eberechi Eze at Crystal Palace is another great example.<\/p>\n Eze is a consistent joy to watch. He\u2019s very comfortable and composed on the ball, can drive forward through teams and has an eye for goal. Three goals and three assists so far isn\u2019t bad for a young player\u2019s first Premier League season.<\/p>\n Too many flair players, Raphinha included, have been unfairly dubbed ‘luxury players’. Managers want every player on the pitch to defend and press hard these days. Anyone not contributing to this is labelled a liability, regardless of their goal contributions.<\/p>\n Raphinha has six goals and six assists for Leeds this year. That\u2019s not a negligible amount, certainly not something you\u2019d brand a ‘luxury’.<\/p>\n Will flair players enjoy a full resurgence in the Premier League? It\u2019s uncertain. Trends come and go in football and currently, we\u2019re in the era of Gegenpress. A hard pressing, high energy style of play, where space is limited, doesn\u2019t suit tricky players.<\/p>\n Flair players bring a level of excitement to the game that currently seems to be lost. Watching teams counterattack with fluidity and coherence can be exhilarating, but what about watching one man beat five players alone? You rarely see such a thing in a modern football and it\u2019s a crying shame.<\/p>\n The footballing zeitgeist does not currently favour skilful players. Even legendary tricksters like Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a> have gradually phased out their flair. However, they\u2019re not extinct. Raphinha is a breath of fresh air in the Premier League. He\u2019s a joy to watch, has a strong end product and sets a positive example for the future.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s remember why we all love football. Would you rather watch eleven James Milners or eleven Raphinhas? You decide.<\/p>\n Main PhotoLeeds United’s Raphinha: The Player Adding Flair to Bielsa’s Side<\/h2>\n
How Does Leeds United’s Raphinha Benefit the System?<\/h3>\n
What Does the Future Hold for Raphinha and Flair Players?<\/h3>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>