Mercato – Après le transfert de Raphinha (Leeds) à Chelsea : Ces 5 joueurs dont Marcelo Bielsa a fait exploser la valeur

1. Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)

• What it cost the club : trained at the club
• What he brought back to the club : 48.75 million euros

Three years ago, he was a relative unknown. Kalvin Phillips is now one of the ten most expensive English players in history. Formed in Leeds, the midfielder was already an important element of the eleven before the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa. During the 2017-2018 season, the midfielder even took advantage of a higher position in the field to score 7 goals in the Championship.

But when he arrives, El Loco decides to put him back in front of the defense and imposes a diet on him to reinforce his physical impact. Offensively, the Argentinian wants to take advantage of his passing quality. “I felt like I could play anywhere in midfieldwill entrust the English later. But he knew which position was best for me.”

Result: Phillips explodes in the Premier League, competes in the Euro as a holder with England. He ends up engaging with Manchester City, and will reserve part of his thanks for Bielsa. The Citizens of Pep Guardiola spend nearly 50 million euros to afford it.

2. Raphinha (Leeds)

• What it cost the club : 18.60 million euros
• What he brought back to the club : 60 million euros (bonus included)

When he arrives in Leeds from Rennes, Raphinha is raw talent. Technically gifted but rather irregular on his arrival, the winger changes dimension under the orders of Marcelo Bielsa, even if the requirement of the Argentine coach sometimes makes communication between the two men difficult.

Suddenly, El Loco designates him “best player on the team”. Another, he replaces him very early in the match, blaming him for his lack of defensive withdrawal. Nevertheless, the Peacocks technician puts pressure on his leaders to retain the Brazilian, who has become an international under his orders.

Coveted by Liverpool last winter, the former Rennais ended the season in Leeds and packed his bags for Barcelona. The amount is not communicated, but it filtered in the Spanish media: around 60 million euros (bonus included).

3. Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)

• What it cost the club : 6 million euros
• What he brought back to the club : 40 million euros

When Marcelo Bielsa took over the reins of Bilbao in 2011, Javi Martinez was already a must. Pillar of Athletic, world champion with Spain in 2010, the native of Ayegui yet passes a new milestone thanks to the Argentinian, when he is in the prime of life.

Defensive midfielder, Javi Martinez is replaced in central defense. Crowned European champion with La Roja, a year after having been with La Rojita, the player is considered the most important element of the team. In August 2012, Bielsa threatened to resign if the Spaniard was transferred.

The defender flies to Munich for 40 million euros and then becomes the most expensive outgoing transfer in the history of the club. Bielsa stays for another year but finally retires after a disappointing season.

4. Michy Batshuayi (Marseille)

• What it cost the club : 6 million euros
• What he brought back to the club : 39 million euros

Marcelo Bielsa and Michy Batshuayi arrive almost simultaneously in Marseille. But in the summer of 2014, a striker was well established at OM: André-Pierre Gignac. Despite a successful pre-season and an undeniable talent, the young Belgian must therefore take his troubles patiently. And be satisfied with a status of luxury joker.

In reality, the idea is to forge a character. After several months of tension, Bielsa will break the silence: “The time he came to talk to me, he just said to me: ‘When you leave here, you will leave for 40 million‘”, confided “Batman”. Nearly a million, this will indeed be the case a few months after the surprise departure of the Argentine. Direction Chelsea.

5. Giannelli Imbula (Marseille)

• What it cost the club : 7.5 million euros
• What he brought back to the club : 20 million euros