Tony Dorigo has written in his Yorkshire Evening Post column that if he was presented with being able to keep either Rodrigo or Willy Gnonto at Leeds United this summer – he would go with the latter, despite his poor end to 2022-23.
Gnonto, 19, quickly became a fan favourite at Elland Road after his deadline-day arrival from FC Zurich. He finished the season with eight goals and assists in 29 games, including one at Old Trafford – and an FA Cup scissor kick.
Rodrigo, meanwhile, will enter the last 12 months of his contract. Now 32, and touted as the club’s biggest earner, he is more than likely to go. Spanish clubs are sure to take a look for a player Micah Richards branded “magnificent”.
Dorigo discussed which players of the Leeds squad he would look to keep at Elland Road this summer. While he’d love to keep Rodrigo, the ex-Leeds man says he would prefer Gnonto to stay put over Rodrigo, if given the choice.
“Of the two I think Gnonto would be the one you’re looking to keep and give real importance next season. The last part of the campaign was a strange one for him, it looked as if something had gone on,” Dorigo said in his column.
“Because on the pitch he didn’t at all look like he did earlier on, midseason, when things weren’t going great for the team but he was the one making magic happen and standing out. We didn’t quite see that in the last month or two.”
Tony Dorigo would keep Willy Gnonto at Leeds over Rodrigo this summer
The right decision. In an ideal world, obviously, keeping Rodrigo and letting him loose on the Championship would be excellent. But, the Spain star will be hoping he is part of Spain’s Euro 2024 squad – after an international recall.
Playing in the Championship is not going to earn that right. Also for Leeds, his contract is due to end next summer and this is the club’s last chance to rake in a fee for his services. His wages need to go. It means, so does Rodrigo.
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