Beren Cross has dropped an update on the future of Leeds United forward Rodrigo.
What’s the word?
In a recent article for Leeds Live, the journalist claimed that, following yet another disappointing performance in the 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, the Spain international – who has been tipped for a move away from LS11 in the summer transfer window – could well have already played his last game at Elland Road.
In his article, Cross wrote: “Time is running out for inquests into Rodrigo’s Leeds career to matter right now when there are far bigger things to worry about and everyone just needs to get on with it. That time will come though and Sunday, in the first half at least, was another sorry episode for the record signing.
“Time and time again, simple passes went astray, he dribbled towards his own goal or missed promising openings entirely. Patience sounds like it ran out for a great many inside Elland Road, especially as one especially good chance was spurned and punished with an immediate Brighton goal.
“The groans grew louder and louder to the point you questioned whether it was best to take him off at the break for his own mental wellbeing. There was some improvement after the break, but from a very low bar set.
“For all of the speculation about [Kalvin] Phillips and Raphinha’s final farewells, there’s every reason to believe this was Rodrigo’s last appearance at Elland Road.”
Orta must axe Rodrigo
Following his arrival at Leeds in what was a £26m deal back in the summer of 2020, it would appear a fair assessment to make that Rodrigo has so far failed to live up to his extremely hefty price tag, despite the fact the Spaniard has – at times – produced some memorable moments for the Whites.
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Indeed, after a decent debut campaign, during which the 31-year-old scored seven goals, registered two assists and averaged a SofaScore match rating of 6.94 over his 26 Premier League appearances, the forward’s form has taken a rather drastic downturn in 2021/22.
Over 30 league fixtures this season, the £13.5m-rated forward has scored six goals, registered one assist and missed four big chances, as well as hitting the target with an average of just 0.6 shots, losing possession an average of 11.4 times and winning a mere 3.0 duels – at a success rate of 39% – per game.
These returns have seen the £58k-per-week attacker who Cross dubbed “anonymous” and Michael Dawson claimed has been “hiding” average a disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.81, ranking him as Jesse Marsch’s ninth-best performer in the top flight of English football.
And, with Patrick Bamford having been ruled out for the vast majority of the season due to injury, Rodrigo’s failure to step up to the plate has been all the more evident, leading us at Football FanCast to believe that Victor Orta simply must move the 31-year-old in the summer transfer window – regardless of whether the Whites stay up or go down.
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