Spanish media gushes over Leeds United loanee Marc Roca after Real Betis display in 1-1 draw v Girona
Leeds United loanee Marc Roca played 66 minutes as Real Betis played out a close 1-1 draw with surprise La Liga package Girona at the Benito Villamarín Stadium on Thursday 21 December.
The Spaniard featured at the heart of the midfield for Manuel Pellegrini’s men as teammate Germán Pezzella’s strike from a rebound late in the second half helped Betis keep up their tremendous unbeaten record on home soil so far this season.
Roca has enjoyed his loan spell at Betis this season, becoming a key and crucial figure under Pellegrini, scoring three goals and registering one assist in 17 La Liga games with talk of a permanent move in January already emerging ([Mucho Deporte, 25 October].
It was another impressive and assured display for the former Bayern Munich midfielder and Spanish news outlet El Desmarsque (21 December) shared their reaction to Roca’s display, handing him a “6/10” rating:
“He appeared to put out several fires and tried to multiply in the midfield against Girona’s dominance. He is forceful in divided balls and some interesting passes with his quality left foot.”
Good news
It is becoming increasingly obvious that Roca isn’t a bad player, but rather isn’t particularly well equipped to flourish in the Premier League as he continues to go from strength to strength not only in La Liga but also in European football.
The former Bayern Munich has shown that when a player moves onto a much more comfortable and settled environment, he can flourish and that’s what the Leeds United loanee has proven under Manuel Pellgerini’s trust and management.
Roca has been brilliant in his time in Spain so far this season and last night’s draw with Girona was another impressive and competent display from the Elland Road loanee who may well be seeing his price tag skyrocket for every good display.
That can only mean good news for Leeds United who are certainly willing to sanction a permanent sale for the Spaniard who certainly looks like he’ll never step foot at the club again.
With every good display in Seville, Betis are certainly drawing closer and closer to handing Leeds United a healthy windfall when the time comes in the January window.
In other Leeds United news, media in Italy have slammed Rasmus Kristensen labelling him Roma’s worst-ever signing