Marc Roca needs to ‘feel important again’ at Real Betis this season after a disappointing year at Leeds United.
That’s according to journalists Rafa Cala and Manuel Pedrero, who say the midfielder ‘needed’ to return to Spain this summer.
Roca completed a loan move to Real Betis yesterday, joining the Spanish side on loan until the end of the season and becoming the latest player to leave Leeds following relegation to the Championship.
The Spaniard joined Leeds in a €12m deal from Bayern Munich in July last year and established himself as a key player under Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia.
He was unable to keep the Whites in the Premier League, though, and has now taken advantage of a clause in his contract to leave Elland Road on a temporary basis.
Betis have been chasing his signature for weeks and finally got a deal over the line and both journalists believe the move was necessary for the 26-year-old.
His move to Leeds was supposed to revive a career that had stagnated somewhat at Bayern Munich, where he was unable to shine after previously impressing at Espanyol.
The hope for him is that he can now do that back in Spain with Betis, something both journalists believe has fuelled this transfer decision.
“I see him well, a midfielder who needed to return to Spain, feel useful again and recover his level of play,” said Cala.
“He’s a very useful signing, above all to help in midfield…. Would it be ideal if Guido (Rodriguez) stayed?
“Yes, it would give Betis a fairly strong midfield and would improve one of their weak points in recent years, the lack of muscle in midfield…. If Roca has Pellegrini’s approval, who can question his signing.”
“He is a player who needs continuity and to feel important again,” added Pedrero.
“Betis is the perfect team to show those qualities, especially playing in Europe again and he is going to be an important player because there are going to be some departures in that position.”
