Not even Leeds United will be able to believe the player that Raphinha has become at Barcelona. That £55m fee is looking a greater bargain by the week in Spain, as the Whites forever ponder what might have been.
Newcastle United certainly didn't miss the Brazilian, that's for sure. The Magpies were reacquainted with the winger in the second leg of their Champions League tie against Barcelona and could do nothing as he came away with two goals and three assists in a 7-2 thumping.
raphinha-leeds-united
Losing the winger remains Leeds' biggest regret, but they've since also let their replacement for Raphinha leave in a huge transfer mistake.
Raphinha is now one of Europe's best
It's not often fans can say that they've seen one of the best players in world football wearing their colours, but those at Elland Road can say exactly that. It's no longer a debate - Raphinha is one of the best that European football has to offer.
raphinha-barcelona
There was a strong argument for him to win the Ballon d'Or last year, before he finished fifth and ultimately missed out. It's easy to see why that argument was made, however, and there's every chance that he's in the conversation for the 2026 award if Barcelona win the Champions League.
What makes the winger's rise even more absurd is that he wasn't an instant hit at Barcelona. In fact, if it wasn't for the arrival of Hansi Flick, Raphinha may not be a Nou Camp star in 2026.
Raphinha Stats by Coach Games Goals Assists
Marcelo Bielsa 56 15 11
Jesse Marsch 11 2 1
Xavi 87 20 25
Hansi Flick 87 53 34
After thrashing Newcastle on Wednesday, Raphinha has been involved in 42 more goals under Flick than he was under Xavi, despite playing the same number of games. In that clash with the Toon, he not only scored twice, but also assisted two goals. He truly is the man for big occasions.
Leeds starp laying like Raphinha after leaving
When Leeds received £55m to sell Raphinha, they should have been the last ones laughing. They cashed in on their best player, but didn't need to spend a single penny on his replacement. Summerville was there, lying in wait.
Like the Brazilian, however, the Dutchman has quickly become a transfer regret. Following in the footsteps of Raphinha, Summerville decided to depart in 2024, as Leeds remained in the Championship and he set his sights on a Premier League place at West Ham United.
Fast-forward two years and those at Elland Road will be quick to point out that it's the Hammers who are desperately fighting to survive. Yet, that is not down to the form of Summerville. He has become their talisman at the most important time and is beginning to show shades of Raphinha.
PL Stats Raphinha 21/22 Summerville 25/26
Minutes 2,922 1,864
Goals 11 5
Assists 3 1
Successful dribbles P90 1.01 1.59
Chances created P90 2 0.97
The numbers suggest that Leeds lost their best dribbler since Raphinha. Compared to the Brazilian's final season in the Premier League, Summerville is completing 0.58 more dribbles per game in the current campaign.
summerville
He's had the end product to boot, too. With eight games left to play, the West Ham man is only two assists away from matching Raphinha in that area, albeit while struggling to match him for goals.
If Raphinha's £55m sale looks cheap, then Summerville's £25m sale to what has proved to be a direct relegation rival looks nothing short of disastrous.
At 24 years old, the former Leeds man is not even at the peak of his powers as of yet. With every year in the top flight, those at Elland Road are likely to regret his sale more and more.
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