Noel Whelan: Rodrigo not happy after being subbed as a sub v Chelsea
BBC pundit Noel Whelan has said that Rodrigo was not happy ‘at all’ after being taken off during the 0-0 draw between Leeds United and Chelsea.
Rodrigo – the club’s record signing – was subbed as a sub and Whelan said that’s a “real kick in the teeth” for a player.
Talking after the game Bielsa said, “He (Rodrigo) has been without playing for a long time and it is natural that it cost him a little bit in adapting to the rhythm.” [Yorkshire Post]
It’s the second time Rodrigo has been subbed as a sub after being taken off in the game against Sheffield United back in September.
Talking on BBC Radio Leeds Whelan was asked by a Leeds fan if he thought it was to save Rodrigo for Friday against Fulham, with Patrick Bamford potentially out injured.
“Not sure,” said Whelan. “I think when you look at how he trudged around the pitch and didn’t even go and sit on the bench, and went straight down the tunnel.
“You can read what you want into that but as a former player that’s someone who’s annoyed.”
“[He wasn’t happy], not at all… He was on for 45 minutes. It’s not fatigue
“Personally, for a player, it’s a bit of a kick in the teeth, you don’t want to be subbed as a sub.”
Rodrigo in action today?
Bielsa has a history of subbing subs if they’re not performing well enough, but he’s aware of the impact it can have on a player.
He did it to Tyler Roberts back in 2019 before apologising to him saying, “He shows a lot of generosity with me, but he knows my decision touches him and even he understood the situation, but I know with this decision I hurt him and it is difficult to overcome in a short time.”
Rodrigo has had a stop-start career so far at Leeds and we think he might well get 45 minutes in the Under-23s game this afternoon.
He’s going to be needed on Friday for the game against Fulham and more minutes can only help him get back to full match fitness.
As for the Bielsa decision, it was an odd one and didn’t go down well with the fans at the time.
However, we got a brilliant point against a very good Chelsea side, so perhaps there was method in Bielsa’s madness.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Liability’ – BBC pundit slams Leeds ace who is ‘not the best’ despite battling 0-0 v Chelsea