HomeFootballRodrigo is a statement signing for Leeds United

Rodrigo is a statement signing for Leeds United

- Advertisement -

Leeds United were not expecting to sign Rodrigo when the transfer window swung open this summer. They wanted a striker ahead of their first season back in the Premier League but the idea of signing the current Spain international was a pipe dream of director of football Victor Orta.

Orta made his tentative almost a month back and kept in touch with the player’s representatives as he probed the possibility of signing other forwards such as Brentford’s Ollie Watkins.

- Advertisement -

But as Rodrigo warmed up to the idea of a move to the Premier League and Valencia made it clear that they are prepared to sell him, Leeds were in the game.

Victor Orta and Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani travelled to Spain on Monday and conducted the swift negotiations to sign the striker for a club-record fee of £27m.

Rodrigo was considering staying in Spain next season but the final push came from Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa who personally spoke with the forward to convince him to move to England.

Rodrigo signing shows Leeds United mean business

Marcelo Bielsa kept his faith in Patrick Bamford last season in the Championship but was acutely aware that he needed better quality up front in the Premier League. A number of forwards were assessed but the Leeds manager is said to have jumped at the prospect of signing Rodrigo.

The 29-year-old scored just seven goals last season in a Valencia side that was suffering due to issues off the pitch. But he is a striker of real pedigree and has been a consistent part of the Spain squad.

Leeds are getting a striker who was valued at £50m last summer when Atletico Madrid wanted him and even Barcelona wanted him in January but Valencia blocked a move.

Rodrigo will add real quality to a Leeds side that is returning to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years. His experience at the top level and his international quality are likely to be of massive value in the top tier of English football.

https://twitter.com/LUFC/status/1299617788768800770?s=20

Most promoted teams struggle to score goals in the Premier League and Leeds have gone out and tried to solve the problem upfront. Bielsa’s football is not based on the centre-forward scoring the bulk of his team’s goals and he doesn’t need Rodrigo to score 20 next season.

Bielsa needed an upgrade on the centre-forward’s role that Bamford played last term. Someone who can hold the ball up and bring teammates into the game with his link-up play. Rodrigo is a massive upgrade on Bamford in that respect.

The £27m fee is also a sign that Leeds are looking to bring in quality rather than quantity. Bielsa is likely to keep faith in the majority of the squad that won Leeds the promotion and wants quality additions in certain areas of the squad. The Leeds coach wants an evolution of his squad, not a revolution.

Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa’s pulling power in the market

Leeds United are one of the traditional powerhouses of English football but 16 years away from the Premier League is a long time and many doubted how attractive they would be when they are back in the top tier after more than a decade-and-a-half.

The Whites have provided a sound statement with the signing of Rodrigo from Valencia. The Spaniard could easily walk into any mid-table Premier League team and could even do a job for one of the top sides. As mentioned above, Atletico Madrid wanted him last summer and Barcelona were keen in January.

It is a massive statement on Leeds’ part to convince the player to move to Elland Road for their first season back in the Premier League. However, this is just not Leeds’ credit. Marcelo Bielsa is a massive factor as well.

The Argentine personally convinced Rodrigo to move to England despite the striker initially planning to stay at Spain. The Leeds manager is a cult figure amongst the best coaches in world football and even players are aware of his status.

Players would sit down and listen if Leeds and Bielsa come calling and that is more than what any mid-table or recently promoted Premier League side can hope to do in the market.

And in Andrea Radrizzani, Leeds also have a chairman who is intent on establishing Leeds as a Premier League side than just be happy to survive in the top tier.

Rodrigo’s arrival is a clear sign that Leeds are going to attack the Premier League, unlike any other promoted team.

Also Read: The tantalising prospect of Lionel Messi at Manchester City

- Advertisement -

15 Highly Educated Cricketers Of All Time

Cricket is a game of passion and dedication. A sport in which one involves themselves in camps and practice since early childhood. Due to...

Do we often under-appreciate Andy Flower? What’s his legacy?

There's a hint of sadness in noting that Zimbabwe has never been a dominant power in world cricket. But nothing could be sadder than...

Why are more and more MotoGP riders using the Noson nasal dilator?

Introduction MotoGP riders or athletes are physically fit and healthy individuals and their muscles are continuously functioning and used during the performance. As a fan...

How Come UFC Fighters Have Cauliflower Ears But Boxers Don’t?

The UFC has come a long way since its early days, wherein the fights seemed like modern-day gladiators due to its brutality and inconsistent...

5 spinners who can be India’s potential finger-spinners

The Indian cricket team has always been proud of its ability to produce world-class batsmen and similarly potent spinners. Though in recent times, the...

IPL 2018: The beautiful Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Being seated in the Sawai Mansingh stadium brings a different world, a world of difference away from the palpable excitement of watching truly India’s...

The astonishing decline of Mario Balotelli

There was a time when Mario Balotelli was on top of the world.  The Italian talisman had scored two goals in the Euro 2012 semi-finals,...

Top 5 Left Wingers In The World, Based On 2019-20 Season

Owing to the fact that football has evolved a lot since its inception and the tactics have changed a lot, the role of wingers...

What can be expected from the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Heat in the air and heat inside the car- that's been the story of the Azerbaijan Grand prix. As F1 parks itself at Baku...

How Suresh Raina Batted India Into The Finals of 2011 World Cup

Its been 9 years, since India won the Cricket World Cup defeating Sri Lanka on 2 April, 2011. The images and visuals of...

IPL 2018: The best from the West Indies

When one of nature's treacherous attacks on mankind- earthquakes- strike, their impact is measured on Richter's scale. When West Indians strike in a tournament...

Big change for India Women’s cricket as BCCI looks to finalise bowling coach soon

We are not even at the halfway stage of the 2018 cricketing season. It clearly seems there's no stopping India's women's cricket team. The...

Age Fraud in Indian Cricket: Are players really to be blamed?

There have been times while watching a cricket match when we tend to hear commentators comment on cricketers’ age. We as fans have many...

Ajax XI if they didn’t sell their star players

Based in Amsterdam, AFC Ajax, who incidentally draw their name from the legendary Greek hero of the same name, are the most successful club...

5 famous players to play for both Leeds United and Liverpool

Leeds United are back in the Premier League after 16 years and will play Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday in their very first match...

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -