Bielsa says Leeds have a ‘great’ player in their ranks, shares when he’ll become a starter

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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has leapt to the defence of Rodrigo, after his rather slow start at Elland Road, as per his comments in Leeds Live.

Rodrigo joined Leeds in the summer for a record transfer fee and when he initially signed many expected him to take Patrick Bamford’s place up-front.

However, the Spaniard has rather been overshadowed by Bamford this season, and he has struggled to break into the team.

Rodrigo has been used in multiple positions behind the striker, but hasn’t quite been able to land a run of starts for some time.

The 30-year-old has struggled badly with injuries, and is expected to be out for Leeds’ upcoming game with Fulham.

But Bielsa insists that he has no doubts over Rodrigo’s quality, despite his initial problems.

“Rodrigo arrived at the start of the competition with no pre-season for us,” Bielsa said.

“It took him four weeks to become a starter and after playing his best game, which was against Aston Villa, then he became sick. He was ill for 20 days, then after that to get back to his best state took him a month.

“He played 10-12 games at a medium to high level then picked up that injury which he was out for five weeks with. And perhaps this segment where he didn’t play for 40 days was too quick because he’s a player that gets his best physcial state by gradually increasing the minutes.

“He played 45 mins with the U23s. 45 mins against West Ham and against Chelsea who is one of the teams who has the biggest rhythm in the league alongside City. I had to bring him back earlier because my estimate is that he shouldn’t have played more than 50 minutes.

“He becomes a starter when he’s in a good state of form. When he has been without playing for over a month his return is not instant. We have seen what he is a capable of. He is a great striker that when he finds his best form.”

Rodrigo’s latest absence is a blow to Leeds, as even when he doesn’t start he is a useful option to have off the bench.

His latest injury isn’t expected to be a serious one, but it just stops him regaining more fitness, after a longer absence.

If Leeds can beat Fulham tomorrow then they will climb up into 11th place in the Premier League table, ahead of this weekend’s games.