Already relaxed and satisfied with his evening at La Mosson marked by a precious success against Montpellier (1-3), and the 100th goal of Kylian Mbappé, Thomas Tuchel saw his face light up a little more when he was asked. what look he had on the performance of Rafinha, his Brazilian midfielder. The German technician was not stingy with compliments about the final rookie of the last transfer window.
“I like the guy,” he said. I have known Rafinha for many years. I have always followed his career. He’s an extraordinary guy with a game intelligence. He’s super-humble, always nice, always there, always attentive. He had a good game in Manchester, another amazing game here. I am very happy for him. “
Deprived of competition from July to October, the former FC Barcelona player is indeed gaining momentum, at 27 years old. His latest performances draw a player with great technique, capable of both defending and creating danger offensively with inspired passes or dazzling advances. A profile that lacked the PSG which could not leave the only Marco Verratti in charge of this animation. And, while neither Ander Herrera, Leandro Paredes, Idrissa Gueye or even Danilo Pereira can claim to bring as much as him, one can wonder if it is not time for Thomas Tuchel to make the Brazilian one of the pillars of his game system.
“He brings this quick decision making”
“If he continues on these bases, he becomes indisputable holder! »Says Luis Fernandez, the former Parisian coach. “Today, when I see it, I do not find it just interesting but very interesting”, adds the consultant of beIN Sports. He explains: “In the heart of the game, he brings you that technical touch and that quick decision-making. With him, it won’t take three minutes to figure out what to do. It is: control, pass, I eliminate, I give and, that, in a team, you need it. “
Like Thomas Tuchel, Luis Fernandez had a great time seeing Rafinha last week. “When he enters against Manchester, he has this bright pass for Neymar on the third goal, he explains. If it’s someone else, he hits the mark. In Montpellier, he recovers the ball on the second goal, right? We must recognize this quality too: he is not just a footballer. It is not that i want to play with the ball. With his small size, he reminds me of Iniesta, Xavi, these boys who are always present and intelligent by their placement. “
Despite everything, it remains for Thomas Tuchel to find a balance. Vikash Dhorasoo, the former Parisian midfielder, after emphasizing how much he finds Rafinha “a real team player, a real teammate that we feel like a nice guy, turned towards the collective”, is more measured than Fernandez. “I’m not sure the side I am a great teammate, I am available, generous is sufficient for the very high level, analyzes the consultant of the Chaîne L’Equipe. He’s better technically than the others and makes better passes, but that’s also because the others have other qualities as well. It’s a question of choice. “
Additional competition in the middle
Dhorasoo recognizes that this kind of player was lacking at PSG. And that his presence can allow Neymar in particular to “play higher and less exhaust himself”. So he does not rule out the possibility of seeing him titular with Verratti. “It would be courageous for Tuchel to try to bring them together,” he notes. But then with someone a little stronger to support them. Because I think that physically Rafinha is maybe a little less strong than the others. So if you put him with Verratti in the middle, that makes two players a little less physically heavy. “
In the end, Thomas Tuchel finds himself with multiple solutions, welcome in this dense season. “He can be a direct competitor for Verratti or Paredes,” notes Fernandez. But it’s not bad. If the turnover is well managed, all these players will accept it and be happy. “. And the former coach concluded: “Rafinha is going to become someone important for Paris. There, he is sending a message, warning the teammates: Gentlemen, I’m here, I also want to play. And that pleases me. “
