Marcelo Bielsa: This is why Rodrigo was replaced in Leeds draw v Chelsea
Leeds United were hit with the blow of star man Patrick Bamford picking up an injury in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.
Thankfully, record-signing Rodrigo had recovered from one of his own this week and was back on the bench ready for action.
The Spaniard came on in the opening 45 minutes but was taken off in the second half with no injury clear as he stormed down the tunnel at Elland Road.
Speaking after the clash, via the Yorkshire Evening Post, Bielsa explained just why he made the decision to drag Rodrigo off the pitch.
“He has been without playing for a long time and it is natural that it cost him a little bit in adapting to the rhythm,” he said.
“I value a lot the effort he put in when he was on the field because it is an effort that is above what he is actually capable of at this moment in time.”
It seemed a strange decision, and Rodrigo clearly wasn’t happy.
Bielsa believes that he was putting in an effort which he wasn’t capable of giving, proving that he may not be back at 100% after returning.
Having said that, the Spaniard stormed down the tunnel and wasn’t best pleased, so surely he personally felt as though he could continue.
With Bamford potentially out injured now, it is a big chance for Rodrigo to play centrally in the final third and prove his worth at Elland Road.
Let’s hope that this doesn’t bring another fall out similar to the one of Pablo Hernandez, we can’t afford for that to happen at this stage.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay shares angry altercation between Bielsa and Friend