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Jack Harrison has given a glowing verdict on the impact of Leeds United teammate Raphinha, who completed a £17million (BBC) transfer to Elland Road from French club Rennes in the summer transfer window.

24-year-old Harrison, who is in his third loan spell with the Whites, is a nailed-on starter in Marcelo Bielsa’s XI as the left-winger and Helder Costa plays on the opposite flank.

But the Yorkshire giants did strengthen in the wide areas during the summer, as the signed a highly-rated talent from Ligue 1.

Raphinha is yet to start a game this season for Leeds since his move to English football, but had a bright cameo off the bench against Crystal Palace before the international break and has a lot of potential.

The 23-year-old Brazilian is a left-footed winger that likes to cut inside from the right and it looks like he could be applying some real pressure on Costa for a starting position.

Harrison has been discussing the ability of Raphinha and is convinced he can bring something to the team:

“He’s fantastic. He doesn’t speak much English, but despite that he’s settled in so well with everybody at the club,” Harrison told BBC West Yorkshire Sport.

“Everyone has been really impressed with him since he arrived, he’s always smiling, always bringing good energy to the team.

“I think everyone has been impressed with his qualities, his potential as well. He likes to run which is obviously good for Marcelo, he likes players like that, but at the same time he has a lot of quality with the ball too.

“I think a lot of guys on the team would probably agree in saying the same thing that he can bring a lot to this team. Exciting player for us going forward.”

TBR’s View:

Bielsa has understandably been cautious with Raphinha at the start of his Leeds career, as both Harrison and Costa have looked impressive on either wing at the beginning of the Premier League season.

But it could be time to mix things up when they host Arsenal on Sunday in their next league match and it would catch their opponents by surprise by picking him.

Raphinha is a South American speedster that loves to dribble with the ball and would inject a spark in the final third, plus in theory he could play on either wing or even in a more central position.