Rodrigo is not having the ‘desired start’ to his Leeds United career and is ‘having a hard time’ in adjusting to the new league and his position with the Whites.
That’s what AS are reporting about the striker who arrived at Elland Road from Valencia in August.
It’s claimed the 29-year-old’s transfer was ‘one of the most unexpected movements’ of the last window, not because of his exit from Mestalla, but that his destination was not Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid or other clubs he was linked to.
The Spain international ended up at Leeds, who were promoted to the Premier League, and returned to the top flight for the first time in 16 years. The Whites wanted him to be the ‘most visible face’ of Marcelo Bielsa’s new project at the club, but that hasn’t happened so far.
Rodrigo has only 10 league appearances (four league starts) to his name and Bielsa has used him as a No.9, No.10, and even as a midfielder this season. The few minutes he has had as a centre forward was when he came off the bench.
AS suggest the former Valencia man’s poor start can be attributed to the time needed to adapt to the Premier League and also the fact his manager played him away from the opposition’s goal.
The attacker’s struggles at Leeds could have consequences, and he has already seen his market value drop from €50m [in 2019] to €30m now.
The ‘biggest problem’ may be with the national team as Rodrigo’s place with Spain for Euro 2020 could be in ‘danger’. Luis Enrique has several other options, who are shining at their respective clubs, and Rodrigo’s struggles at Leeds will only make it worse for him.
AS states: ‘These are difficult moments for Rodrigo Moreno, but the season has just begun. A double adaptation – league and position – is not something simple and in Spain he has shown that he can become a differential player. Bielsa trusts him and can still be one of the faces of this project, but the reality is that today Rodrigo Moreno is lost in the cold of Leeds.’
Both the player and the Whites will be hoping the striker can start to impress soon for the English club.
