Leeds United employee shares Rodrigo claim after team news hint pre-Southampton
Noel Whelan has insisted Rodrigo “deserves” to keep his place in the Leeds United starting line-up against Southampton despite the return of Dan James.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 31-year-old’s recent goalscoring form has allowed him to build “confidence and belief in his ability”.
James is eligible to face Southampton on Saturday (13 August) after his red card suspension ended.
As quoted by Leeds Live (12 August), Whites boss Jesse Marsch claimed the Wales international can be a “big option” for his side from the bench – in a huge hint that Rodrigo will keep his place in the Leeds United starting lineup.
The Spaniard started last week and notched the opening goal of the game in the 2-1 win over Wolves (6 August).
Whelan insisted there is “no way” Marsch should be looking to drop the ex-Valencia man.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think the last two games for Rodrigo have been very successful in terms of output.
“Three goals in the last friendly, and then he comes up with a goal in the first game of the season.
“It just goes to show what goals can do for a player like Rodrigo, allowing them to build up confidence and belief in their own ability.
“He deserves this extra chance to stay in the side – there’s no way you ever want to take goalscorers out.
“But he will know that Sinisterra is also coming back, so he needs to keep coming up with the good on match days.”
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