Luke Ayling says Raphinha doesn’t get any special Leeds treatment from Bielsa

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Leeds United defender, Luke Ayling, has told the Super Six Podcast that Marcelo Bielsa offers no preferential treatment to the squad, including talents such as Raphinha.

Raphinha has been instrumental in Leeds’ rise this season. The Brazilian winger signed in the summer and after a slowish start, has become one of the most lauded players in the entire league.

But despite his immense talents, Ayling has said that Bielsa offers Raphinha – and others – no preferential treatment when it comes to training and putting the work in.

“The best thing is that we’ve got Pablo Hernandez who is 34 or 35 who has to do the same amount of running as Jamie Shackleton. It’s the same for everyone, he doesn’t care,” Ayling said.

“It’s good for us because we know that everyone is treated the same, for example, someone like Rapha now who is unbelievable, he can do what he wants and still be the best player, but he’s still got to do the same running as us and do the sprints and that.”

Leeds are renowned for their high-intensity game and playing on the front foot. They have also tightened up in defence, with Ilan Meslier keeping the most clean sheets of any PL goalkeeper for his age.

TBR View: No surprise Ayling says this, Bielsa has very particular methods

The fact is, if you don’t buy into the full process of Marcelo Bielsa, then you aren’t going to get in this Leeds team. That means, like Ayling says, even if you are mega talented, then you still need to run.

Raphinha has certainly done that. He’s amazing with the ball but his work-rate is also second to none. For around £17m, he’s proven to be an absolutely sensational signing for the Whites.