Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa has told Leeds Live that Rodrigo is not at the level he was when he played against Aston Villa.
Bielsa made the comments about Rodrigo following Leeds’s goalless draw with Arsenal at Elland Road in the Premier League on Sunday evening.
The 29-year-old, who can operate as a winger or as a striker, did not start against the Gunners, but the Spain international came on as a substitute in the 70th minute.
The former Valencia star recently came out of self-insolation, and Leeds head coach Bielsa has said that he needs time to get back to the level he showed before he was diagnosed with Covid.
Bielsa told Leeds Live about Rodrigo: “When he left the team he was growing in the team. Every game he was playing better and the rhythm of competition, you don’t obtain this quickly.
“It took him a few games to get him to the level he was at for Aston Villa. And I think that he needs a progression of a different amount of minutes to get the level he was playing.”
How did Rodrigo play against Arsenal?
Rodrigo did well for Leeds after coming on in the second half, as he added quality, pace and finesse to the attack.
The Spaniard had a long-range effort go close and another hit the crossbar.
According to WhoScored, Rodrigo took three shots, played two key passes, had a pass accuracy of 44.4%, took 17 touches, and made one tackle.
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