Rodrigo has been on fire this season. The Spain star has scored 12 goals this season but after picking up an ankle injury at Accrington Stanley – Rodrigo is out until April and Leeds must be wishing they never sent Joe Gelhardt on loan.
Leeds confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Rodrigo has picked up an extensive injury that keeps him sidelined for the next two months. A massive blow, just two days after the January window slammed shut. No chance of a replacement.
Many deemed the January window to be a real positive one. Bringing in Max Wober, Georginio Rutter and Weston McKennie, after Mateusz Klich and Diego Llorente – the latter, on loan. But with Rodrigo’s injury, Leeds have an issue.
Now of course, the signing of Rutter does ease the issue. The France U21 star will now be accelerated into the side at a quicker rate than Leeds may have previously though. Patrick Bamford is back, scoring three goals since returning.
But to have lost one of our most in-form players, and of course, our top scorer – it is a blow. A big one, not least because Leeds could have entered the market for a replacement, if the extent of the injury was known last month.
Rodrigo is out: Leeds must be wishing they never sent Gelhardt on loan
With Rodrigo firing, Rutter signed and Bamford back, Leeds allowed Gelhardt to go on loan. He has joined Sunderland on loan until the end of the season. But Leeds are now having to rely on Bamford and Rutter as their options up top.
Mateo Joseph remains, but he is a rookie. So, an injury-plagued striker and while a club-record signing, Rutter is yet to play in the League – only just making his debut. It does not bode well. If Leeds could, they would recall Gelhardt.
Instead, Leeds will be wishing they never let Gelhardt leave on loan for Sunderland. Hopefully for Leeds, Bamford can remain fit and Rutter hits the ground running. But, losing Rodrigo until early April is a real blow to our survival hopes.
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