Leeds United’s decision to sack former manager Marcelo Bielsa will have been a ‘sigh of relief’ for star forward Raphinha, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting attacking talents over the last 18 months, but things had started to turn sour in recent weeks.

What is the latest news involving Raphinha?

Raphinha – who is valued at £36m by Transfermarkt - arrived at Leeds from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes in the summer of 2020 after they ended their 16-year exile from the top-flight of English football.

The Brazil international got off to a slow start at Elland Road, scoring just one goal in his opening eight league games but soon settled into life under Bielsa as the season wore on.

A further five goals and nine assists followed in Raphinha’s remaining 22 Premier League appearances of 2020/21 as Leeds finished in an impressive ninth position.

And the South American sensation has proved his eye-catching form was no flash in the pan by racking up 11 goal contributions across 24 league outings in the current campaign.

Tottenham DUMPED out of the FA Cup by Boro! Full reaction on The Football Terrace...

However, despite Raphinha being able to replicate his exploits of last season, Leeds have fallen well short and are currently hovering just two points and two places above the relegation zone.

A fourth consecutive defeat last time out at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur saw Bielsa relieved of his duties, with former RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch already named as his successor.

What has Jones said about Leeds?

Even though Raphinha has been Leeds’s most potent attacking force by a considerable distance throughout 2021/22, Bielsa hauled him off at half-time in the recent loss to Everton before starting him on the bench for the visit of Manchester United.

The Argentine tactician essentially admitted his error against the Red Devils, bringing the skilful winger on at half-time, but Jones still believes that Bielsa’s exit will have been a weight off Raphinha’s shoulders.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think for Raphinha too; it's a sigh of relief almost for him because, for whatever reason, Bielsa was leaving him out of the team, and it was very strange.”

Can Leeds avoid relegation?

Marsch is set to take charge of his first game when the Whites travel to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City over the weekend.

And upcoming fixtures against relegation rivals Norwich City, Watford and Brentford will give Leeds hope of maintaining their top-flight status come May.

With key players such as Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper and Patrick Bamford still sidelined through injury, though, Marsch faces a tricky task to improve Leeds’s fortunes.