Farke must finally cash in on Leeds dud who earns more than Raphinha did

Leeds United were unable to extend their lead at the top of the Championship table on Sunday when they were beaten 1-0 by Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

The Whites were left frustrated by their lack of quality in the final third as they allowed too many presentable chances to come and go throughout the match.

Daniel Farke’s side created three ‘big chances’ and 2.36 xG worth of opportunities on the day, yet ended the game without scoring a single goal.

Joel Piroe missed both of his ‘big chances’ in front of goal, firing straight at Nicolas Schmid in the first half and overhitting one in the second half, and both of those opportunities came with the score at 0-0.

What Leeds could have done with a player of Raphinha’s quality to make the difference against Pompey, as the Brazilian forward’s form this season has reminded supporters of what they have missed since his departure in the summer of 2022.

Raphinha’s form for Barcelona this season

The Brazil international, signed from Leeds for a reported fee of £55m ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, has been in electric form for Hansi Flick for the Spanish giants this term.

Raphinha has racked up an extraordinary return of 25 goals and 18 assists in 40 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona, which is more than one goal or assist every game on average.

The 28-year-old sensation has shown that he has the quality to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch at the highest level, with nine goals and four assists in nine appearances in the Champions League to date, including a hat-trick against Bayern Munich.

Leeds supporters will be far from surprised by his world-class form for Barcelona this season, however, as they saw the magic that he is capable of during his time at Elland Road.

Victor Orta signed the Brazil international from Rennes for Marcelo Bielsa ahead of the 2020/21 campaign and it is fair to say that Raphinha was a big hit in West Yorkshire.

The winger was reportedly on a wage of £63.4k-per-week at Leeds, per Capology, and racked up 17 goals and 12 assists in 67 appearances in all competitions for the club across two years in England.

As you can see in the table above, Raphinha delivered 17 goals and 22 ‘big chances’ created in his two seasons in the Premier League, offering a big threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals to keep the Whites in the top-flight.

Leeds were, of course, relegated the season after his move to Barcelona in the summer of 2022, as they failed to replace his quality in the final third.

Looking back, the club got incredible value out of Raphinha, who was on just £63.4k-per-week at Elland Road, as he produced consistent quality in the Premier League, whilst they currently have a player on more money and failing to contribute in the Championship.

Leeds United’s highest wage earners

The Whites are back in the Championship and vying to get promotion back to the top-flight, which means that their wage bill has gone down since they had the Brazilian forward on their books.

However, that has not stopped the club from having a player who currently earns more than Raphinha did during his time at Leeds, whilst also having several players on similar wages.

As you can see in the table above, former England international Patrick Bamford is – per Capology – the highest earner in West Yorkshire, on just under £7k more per week than the current Barcelona star used to be on with the Whites.

With his incredibly high wages, and contract that runs through to the summer of 2026, in mind, Farke must finally ditch the 31-year-old striker this summer.

Why Leeds should sell Patrick Bamford

The experienced centre-forward has not offered enough, in quality on the pitch or availability to play, to justify the outlay of £70k-per-week – over £3m-per-season – for the club moving forward. He is draining the team of millions per year and has offered little back in return, particularly this term.

Bamford has not hit double figures for goals in the league in any of the last four seasons, since his 17-goal haul in the Premier League in the 2020/21 campaign, and he has not scored a single goal in 11 appearances this year.

The English attacker has missed 15 matchday squads in the Championship this season, whilst he has also been an unused substitute on 11 occasions. This shows that injuries have plagued his campaign and that Farke has been reluctant to call upon him when he has been available.

He was available to play for the majority of last season, playing 33 of the club’s 46 Championship matches, but still left a fair bit to be desired from his performances.

As you can see in the table above, Bamford underperformed as a finisher, with eight goals from 9.52 xG, and offered very little as a creative threat for his teammates.

With all of this in mind, Farke must finally cash in on the English dud when the summer transfer window opens for business, as he has not offered enough to the team to justify him being the highest earner at Elland Road.

League One high-fliers Wrexham were linked with a move for the striker in the January transfer window, which shows that there is interest in the former Chelsea man, and the Whites must finally ditch Bamford if any tangible offers come in for him at the end of the season.

Barring a late resurgence from the number nine to become a reliable and consistent performer in the final weeks of the campaign, to fire the team to the Premier League, it appears as though time is up for the forward who is draining millions from the club.

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