Phil Hay: Jesse Marsch has paid special attention to Rodrigo at Leeds United, key role grows
Rodrigo is developing into a key figure at Leeds United under new boss Jesse Marsch after particular communication between the two, says Phil Hay.
The club’s record signing has been an inconsistent figure at Elland Road during his two seasons at the club, but the American looks to have identified the potential for an important role after the Spaniard stood out in the wake of Marcelo Bielsa’s exit.
A poor performance against Aston Villa, along with most of the team, saw the forward substituted at half time, but it appears the manager followed this up with an important message to the player, who has also been added to his squad leadership group.
Speaking on The Phil Hay Show podcast last night (Thursday 17 March), the Athletic reporter explained the ex-Valencia star’s birthday meal at The Flying Pizza in Roundhay, saying: “It was his decision to say ‘I want to take everybody out, I want everybody to come, no exceptions, we can all relax a bit’.
“I think Marsch looked at that and thought ‘I’d like a bit more of that, he can give us a bit more of that leadership’.”
On the substitution against Villa, Hay said: “As a new head coach… who will probably feel like he’s got to establish himself and earn a certain amount of respect from the dressing room, he clearly realised he had to speak to Rodrigo about this.
“He had to say: ‘Don’t think that because I’ve done that to you last night, I don’t think you’re massively important to the team, I [do]’.
“He took time to explain to Rodrigo how he’s going to fit, how he’s going to use him, and say to him: ‘From my point of view you are an integral part of this’.”
Blossoming
The Spanish international cut a frustrating figure during his time under Bielsa, only showing flashes of his ability.
The club-record £27million fee may not have mattered to the Argentine, but fans remember it, and likely so does the player.
If the arrival of Marsch can help the 31-year-old become the senior presence that fee suggests it would be a major success for the new boss.
It is early days yet but the fruits of this developing relationship between player and manager may be bearing out already.
As Hay noted, in the morale-boosting victory over Norwich the team was diminished more by Rodrigo’s substitution to protect the one-goal lead than that of key striker Patrick Bamford.
Barcelona are thought to be considering a move for the player after the season, and the club could jump at the chance to recoup some of the £27million based on his first season and a half.
But if this emergence under Marsch develops as as early signs suggest then the fee would be more justified already.
If it can keep the Whites in the Premier League would be the biggest boost of all.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay shared what happened in the dressing room after the loss to Aston Villa.