Noel Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds (6:44pm, November 22, 2020) that Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa has to include Rodrigo in the starting lineup against Everton this coming weekend.
Rodrigo did not start for Leeds in their Premier League game against Arsenal at Elland Road on Sunday evening.
The Spain international, who can operate as a striker or as a winger, came on as a substitute in the 70th minute and played well.
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.
Former Leeds striker Whelan, who now works as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds, believes that if the 29-year-old is fit, then he has to start against Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League this coming Saturday.
Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds (6:44pm, November 22, 2020): “I think the big one is Rodrigo. I think after that 20-minute cameo coming on and being lively and sharp, threatening going forward, hitting the crossbar with a beautiful left-footed curler from outside the box, you have got to think about playing him, you really do.
“You need your flair players, you need creative players. He is our record signing. If he is fit enough, he has got to play, it’s as simple as that, in that little number 10 pocket.”
Rodrigo to start against Everton?
After the match against Arsenal, Bielsa said that it would take time for Rodrigo to get back to the fitness level he had when he played against Aston Villa, as covered by HITC Sport.
The Spaniard had only just come out of self-isolation, and interestingly, the former Valencia star was in action for the Leeds Under-23 side on Monday.
Perhaps Bielsa decided to let the attacker play on Monday to build up his fitness, and the 29-year-old could start against Everton.
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