Leeds United striker Rodrigo has hailed manager Marcelo Bielsa, labelling the Argentine as a ‘myth come true’.
The Spanish striker joined Leeds in a club-record deal from Valencia in the summer, with the club spending big after securing promotion from the Championship.
The move to Elland Road saw Rodrigo get the chance to link up with the Argentine coach, who has developed quite the reputation since moving to Leeds in June 2018.
The 65-year-old has become something of a cult icon in West Yorkshire, with his attractive style of play and energetic manner, quickly establishing him as a fan favourite.
That has only been further strengthened by their return to the Premier League after 16 years, and a strong start to life back in the top flight thereafter.
Both those things have only helped to build up the Bielsa legend, something Rodrigo is now witnessing first hand.
“He is a very analytical coach, who does not leave details to chance,” he told Marca.
“He is very demanding, he always asks you to be a proactive player both offensively and defensively. Marcelo has a different way of understanding game situations.
“It is quite common for him to remove a player at half-tie or in the 25th minute or to put you in and then take you out after ten minutes.
“These are situations that may not happen so much. I take it naturally. They are things he does not to annoy but for the good of the team.
“He’s a myth come true. He has a different way of working, a much more analytical methodology, totally different from what I had encountered, with great conviction in his style.”
While Rodrigo is clearly impressed by the Leeds boss, it’s fair to say that Bielsa is yet to get the best out of his big summer signing.
The Spanish forward has struggled to get going thus far, with just three goals in 17 games in all competitions.
Those are obviously not the kind of numbers Leeds were expecting when they paid €27m to sign him from Valencia.
The striker, though, isn’t worried, detailing how Bielsa has seen him turn from a striker into more of a creative number ten.
“I would like to have more, but I think I’m playing at a good level,” he added.
“Here in Leeds, I play in a different way, more like a third midfielder, trying to get to the area as much as possible. Covid left me out of some games, but I am delighted with Leeds.
“This project makes you feel like you belong to a big club, with great room for growth. We have everything it takes to perform.
“I had never played like this, with almost individual markings throughout the pitch and the entire game.
“That forces me to play in parts of the field that I was not used to. But I tried to adapt. The team is very well worked and knows what it has to do.”
