Easy is not a word either Marcelo Bielsa or Jesse Marsch would use when it comes to extracting the best football from Leeds United’s club-record signing. Rodrigo’s beyond halfway on the four-year contract he signed in 2020 and we are yet to consistently see his best play for the Whites.
The Spain international bagged a hat-trick on Sunday in the final friendly of the summer to provide a final boost before the real stuff starts up again. The goals capitalised on the springboard he has been given by Luis Sinisterra’s injury and Daniel James’s suspension.
With Brenden Aaronson shifted wider, Rodrigo looks set to begin through the middle behind Patrick Bamford on Saturday. After the low of Aston Villa’s visit to Elland Road last season, Marsch’s promotion of the Spaniard into the leadership council has been followed by months of man management.
