Leeds United

Leeds United new Barcelona raid fits the Bielsa bill

Earlier today Spanish media outlet, and sport daily, Marca published a snippet of a story regarding Leeds United interest in young Barcelona forward Rafael Mujica. It was something we covered here on The72.

Up until recently, it would have been unheard of would the idea of Leeds United raiding world football giants Barcelona and bringing one of their Masia-trained youngsters back to Thorp Arch/Elland Road.

However, the Whites have previous when it comes to bringing in rated Azulgrana youngsters. Two seasons ago, a Victor Orta-inspired Camp Nou grab saw the West Yorkshire side land Bulgarian youth international Kun Temenuzhkov. The young striker has gone on to feature extensively for the Under-23s, making his first team debut in the 2-1 FA Cup loss at QPR.

Now Marca say that Mujica (below) is “close to joining” Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United, thus following in the footsteps of former Barca youngster Temenuzhkov.

 

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Rafa Mujica, as well as being a pedigreed youngster at Barcelona, fits one of the principal points that Bielsa wants from players at Leeds – multi-position ability. Primarily a striker, Mujica can fill in at all positions across an attacking front three.

He’s played 33 games for the Barcelona B side this season, scoring seven goals and adding one assist. These seven goals form part of his total output of 10 and six assists in 60 games.

Whilst not appearing as overly prolific, that La Masia background and exposure to some of the best training in the world carries its own cachet. He’d more than slot in to the Under-23s set-up at Elland Road, where he’d be nurtured well by Carlos Corberan.

The Under-23s play football with the sae intensity and attacking ethos that Bielsa has brought to the first team. In creating such a close synergy, the idea is that the football acts as a bridge between the two sides, thus aiding player progression.

The proof of that? Under-23s have made 70-or-so appearances for the first team at Leeds United this season. Rafa Mujica could very well be one of those doing so next season by all accounts.

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