Marcelo Bielsa has expressed regret that Leeds have yet to see record signing Rodrigo Moreno in his prime this season.
The striker of Spain signed a £ 27.1 million contract from Valencia this summer and has endured a nonchalant first season on Elland Road.
In his prime, Rodrigo has been an excellent addition to the team. However, a series of injuries, as well as a firing from the coronavirus, have reduced his playing time.
Speaking before Friday’s game with Fulham, Bielsa has admitted that a small injury seems to put the striker aside.
That will come as a blow given he was two games away from his return from a groin problem he suffered at Leicester. In fact, the player was retired despite having been a substitute last time against Chelsea. That led Bielsa to explain her thought..
Despite that, Rodrigo has earned rave praise from Bielsa. He has also explained why the season has been so endless for the 30-year-old.
«To explain exactly, Rodrigo We got to the start of the competition with no preseason for us, ”said Bielsa. “It took him four weeks to become a starter and after playing his best game, which was against Aston Villa, he became ill. He was ill for 20 days, after that it took him a month to return to his best condition.
“He played 10 to 12 games at a medium to high level and then he suffered that injury with which he was out for five weeks.
And maybe this segment where he didn’t play for 40 days was too fast. [with his return]. “He is a player who achieves his best physical condition by gradually increasing the minutes. He played 45 minutes with the Under 23. Then 45 minutes against West Ham and against Chelsea, which is one of the fastest-paced teams in the league alongside City.
“I had to bring him back earlier because my estimate is that he shouldn’t have played more than 50 minutes.”
Despite that, Bielsa has hinted that Rodrigo, when he fits 100%, is one of the first names on his team sheet.
“He becomes a starter when he’s in good shape. When you have not played for more than a month, your return is not instantaneous. We have seen what it is capable of. He is a great striker when he finds his best form ”.
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Call for Llorente hosted by Bielsa
Rodrigo’s current fitness means that Spain have overlooked him for their upcoming international matches.
Nevertheless, Diego Llorente he has been called up after overcoming his own problems. The Spanish star signed a £ 17 million contract with Real Sociedad this summer and has struggled with numerous setbacks.
However, he has started the last four Leeds games and is starting to look like a role in Bielsa’s defense.
He is also likely to keep his spot alongside Pascal Struijk for the visit to Fulham on Friday.
And having been called up by Spain, Bielsa took time to praise the experienced center midfielder.
“I think that being called up to the national team at the level of Spain is always a recognition of what the player is producing. [Spain coach] Luis Enrique evaluated that he was able to return to the national team is a great recognition for him ”.
READ MORE: Bielsa Names Ayling’s Best Assets Amid Talks About England; Bamford’s big push
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