The last international break caused outrage amongst the Premier League. The rules surrounding Brazil in terms of travel and the pandemic led many clubs to move against the releasing of their Brazilian stars to the national side.
Unsurprisingly, there was significant push back against this and for a time it looked like Brazilian players would be banned from the first game back after the break.
In the end, that decision was overturned allowing Raphinha to play for Leeds against Liverpool after the international break and in turn enabling Alisson and Fabinho to feature for the Reds. Given that Fabinho notched a decisive second goal for Jurgen Klopp’s men in the subsequent 3-0 win, perhaps this decision worked against Leeds.
However, given the quality Raphinha possesses, the Whites would be stupid to not try everything to get him on the field for every Premier League encounter which is what they intend to do after this international break when the Whites take on Southampton.
That said, they again face a problem in terms of his availability. Brazil’s third and final game of the window sees them take on rivals Uruguay on October 15th just one day before Leeds journey over to Southampton.
This has led to Leeds, and other Premier League clubs, to make a request to the Brazilian FA pleading for Premier League stars to be released early to enable them to make a hastily return to their club and the starting line-up. It should come as no surprise that the Whites are looking to get Raphinha back in time for the game but, as always, there are those who oppose such a move.
This morning on talkSPORT, presenters Simon Jordan and Jim White where critical of Leeds and Raphinha.
White began the discussion with Jordan’s signature four words: “‘Get on with it’, it’s as simple as that.”
Unsurprisingly, Jordan agreed: “How could it not be, you’ve won the battle.”
The pair then singled out Raphinha when White said: “That goes for Raphinha at Leeds as well, he’s at Southampton on the Saturday. Get on with it.”
Trevor Sinclair, to his credit, chirped up disclosing the winder implications of the current rules: “If he’s not double jabbed, he won’t be available for ten days.”
In doing so, he somewhat justified Leeds’ stance on the matter indicating that there is a threat that he and other Premier League stars could be forced out of more than one game especially if they are not released early.
Still, though, Jordan wouldn’t have any of it: “FIFA on their behalf have won the battle, they’ve got them to give them dispensations and exemptions, come on now.”
