Tony Dorigo has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that Rodrigo has become vital to Leeds United, and suggested that his return could be huge for the Whites ahead of the final stages of the season.
Few decisions Jesse Marsch made during his tenure appear to be hurting us more than the call to throw Rodrigo on against Accrington Stanley when January’s FA Cup tie was already won.
The Spaniard would pick up an injury in that game which has ruled him out since. And without him, Leeds have endured a miserable time. They have only won one of the seven games since.
Dorigo excited for Rodrigo return
And a lack of goals have been the main problem. Leeds have scored three times in those seven games. Willy Gnonto and Junior Firpo have scored two of those goals, while an own goal accounted for the other.
Defensively, Leeds have been a lot better since the departure of Marsch. But Javi Gracia is yet to find a way to make Leeds look dangerous in the final third.
With that, Leeds fans are counting down the days until Rodrigo is back. Certainly, Dorigo believes that it could be a game-changer for the Whites.
“Rodrigo could be vital,” he told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “When he first came he showed some flashes here and there but was quite inconsistent and we always thought he wasn’t our out-and-out goalscorer.
“This season his play has been very good and he’s scored the bulk of our goals, so he has become vitally important. It will be good from a psychological point of view to get him, our top goalscorer, back on the pitch but it’s not just down to one player.”
It is remarkable that Rodrigo’s return is being looked at as such a significant moment. Obviously, for much of his spell, it has been a real struggle.
But he has thrived as the central striker this season. He has already had the best campaign of his Leeds spell this term. And he is, by some distance, the club’s top goalscorer in all competitions.
It really does feel that Leeds could be in even bigger trouble if Rodrigo does not hit the ground running upon his return.
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