Barcelona star Dani Olmo has revealed that he feels the need to send warnings to teammate Raphinha, when the pair are on the pitch together.
This comes in an effort to ensure that the Brazilian does not burn himself out.
Raphinha has for his part of course drawn widespread praise over the early weeks of the new season.
Looking a player reborn under the watch of new boss Hansi Flick, the former Leeds United man has lit up Barcelona’s frontline, on his way to a haul of six goals and six assists across all competitions.
And yet, it is Raphinha’s attitude which has earned him more adulation of late than anything else.
The 27-year-old is an absolutely incessant worker when on the pitch, establishing himself as something of a leader for his teammates as a result.
It is such non-stop running, though, which has forced the aforementioned Olmo, on more than one occasion since his summer arrival, to request that Raphinha ‘be careful’ when on the pitch.
Speaking during an interview with Jorge Valdano on ‘Universo Valdano‘ this week, midfielder Olmo was drawn on a number of his teammates, and had the following to say regarding his attacking partner-in-crime:
“Raphinha seems tireless. I say to him, ‘Rapha, be careful with all of the high pressing you’re doing.’ He always has the desire to win the ball back. I can’t stop. If the guy next to me does something, I will do the same or even more.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
