Leeds United aren’t having the best of seasons so far. They’ve won just two games in the league and are only three points above the relegation zone.
However, as strange as this sounds, things could be so much worse for United.
Indeed, the Whites may have 10 points, but if things went a little differently, they could be in an even worse position right now.
Their win against Watford could have gone the other way if the Hornets didn’t have a goal disallowed by VAR, while they only beat Norwich by one goal.
Leeds are in a precarious position right now, but they’d be in the relegation zone if it weren’t for one man – Rodrigo Moreno.
It sounds strange to say it. After all, Rodrigo has had his fair share of stick in recent weeks, being described as a ‘frustrating’ player, but he’s come good for Leeds in vital moments lately.
He was labelled as ‘brilliant’ by Patrick Bamford after the game against Wolves where he netted a late penalty, while he also scored the winner against Norwich this weekend.
Even against Newcastle earlier this season, he was key to the goal, playing a very clever dummy after Raphinha put in a tantalising cross that slotted in at the back post.
If you count the goal vs Newcastle, Rodrigo’s contributions have actually earned Leeds four points this season, 40 per cent of their tally so far, and while Raphinha has been earning all sorts of plaudits, his goals have only earned Leeds two points so far this term.
Yes, Raphinha has been the star player and without him, Leeds would be worse-off, but if it weren’t for Rodrigo, Leeds could have been in a truly dire situation.
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