‘Very quick, very sharp’: Luke Ayling wowed by Leeds newcomer’s efforts in training

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Leeds United defender Luke Ayling has waxed lyrical about Elland Road newcomer Raphinha after getting a closer look at the Brazilian in training.

The Whites signed the 23-year-old on transfer deadline day, paying French outfit Rennes a reported £17million fee for his services.

The international break came soon after and, with Ayling and Raphinha not amongst those called up by their nations, continued to train at Thorp Arch.

The Leeds summer signing has already taken part in one of coach Marcelo Bielsa’s intense “murderball” sessions, where the ball is continuously thrown back in play.

It’s a drill known to really test players and push them to their limit, and Ayling liked what he saw when up against his new teammate.

“He’s sharp, he’s very sharp,” he told BBC Radio Leeds, via the Yorkshire Evening Post. “He’s scored a few good goals already in training and he’s set up a few.

“We did a murderball and I was playing against him. He had some very good touches, very quick, very sharp. It looks like we have got a good player on our hands.

“He’s come straight in, he’s fitted straight in with the boys and Helder Costa has taken him under his wing a bit because they both speak Portuguese and everything.

“I think we have got a good player on our hands. He has come in and done really well for the first week that he has been here. Obviously he has not met the other lads but we will get back together and it will be exciting.”

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Leeds have had a superb transfer window, with the likes of Rodrigo Moreno, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Joe Gelhardt arriving at Elland Road.

Judging by Ayling’s comments, Raphinha also looks like he’ll be delivering exciting moments for the Elland Road faithful, and it’s great to hear that he’s hit the ground running in training.