Leeds attacker Rodrigo omitted from Spain Euro squad
Leeds United attacker Rodrigo has been omitted from Luis Enrique’s 24-man Spain squad for the European Championship that begins next month.
In a shocking turn of events, the former Barcelona boss has decided against picking Rodrigo in his team for the Euros.
The likes of Pablo Sarabia and Gerard Moreno have been picked and are likely to play second and third fiddle to Juventus striker Alvaro Morata.
Rodrigo, who has been capped 25 sides, was expected to be on the plane for the Euros, but will now be compelled to watching the tournament on his TV screen.
He will be offered some solace given that no Real Madrid player has been picked either – making it one of the eyebrow-raising squad selections of the European Championships.
Fascinating
Rodrigo may not have been a regular starter for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, but he’s been a vital cog in the Leeds machine whenever called up on.
Before the start of the season, pundit Adrian Clarke who watched him in Spain labelled him as an ‘intelligent’ player [PL website], and he’s been that and a lot more for the Whites this term.
Off the bench, he’s been like a breath of fresh air and would offer the same impact to Spain given that Morata is guaranteed to start as a number nine.
The Leeds attacker has proven that he can play on either flank and in a deeper midfield position as well – giving the manager an option to give him the positional freedom to wreak havoc.
Surprisingly, Enrique has opted for the more one-dimensional Moreno and Sarabia who’s been a peripheral figure in the Paris St. Germain side.
It’s baffling to see a player of Rodrigo’s calibre missing out. This season for Leeds he’s had nine goal contributions in 26 games but has been the link between the midfield and attack – something mere stats will not reflect on.
There’s a reason why he’s highly rated by Bielsa and anybody who watches Leeds regularly.
Maybe Enrique’s scouting net is limited only to Spanish and selective overseas clubs and would he have still been at Valencia, he would’ve gotten a call up to the national side.
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