Leeds United player tells Brazilian media what attracted him to Whites, and team’s secret of success

ESPN Brasil today features an interview with Leeds United striker Rodrigo Moreno, who is still settling in at the Elland Road side.

Signed from Valencia in the last window, the striker has made seven appearances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side so far, with a goal scored against Manchester City a month ago.

Speaking to reporter Natali Gedra, Rodrigo highlighted the fact that Leeds can play as equals against any Premier League side.

“I think that the team in these first fixtures has shown that it has the ability to compete against any team, that has a well-defined style of play, a team that always wants to be a protagonist, that wants to take the weight of the game, that wants to be offensive, who always tries to go in search of victory”, Rodrigo told ESPN Brasil.

“Of course, not in any way, with a well-defined plan. I think it’s the path of our team, I don’t believe that the team will change ”

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On Marcelo Bielsa, Rodrigo said: “The fact of being able to work with a great coach, recognised worldwide, of course that attracted me a lot too”.

“It’s very analytical work, there are few global exercises. It seems that he separates the aspects of the game into different parts, and works on it in a very analytical way. And the intensity of the training and the intensity that he requires in the games also caught my attention. I think one of the big differences that is happening in our matches is our physical capacity in relation to the opponents, it’s been a very big difference.”

This isn’t the first time Rodrigo features in English football. He played for Bolton Wanderers in the 2009/10 season, and claims that experience was remarkable for him.

“That season was very important for me, it was my first season as a professional player. It was a year of transition, it helped me a lot to play in the Premier League, a very competitive and very physical league. It helped me a lot to make that leap forward from an academy player to professional.”

Rodrigo was at Bolton on loan from Benfica. Following that season, he returned to the Lisbon side, and was later loaned to Valencia, in a move which became permanent in 2015. Now after signing a four-year deal with the Whites, he has a second shot in the Premier League.