Whelan gutted by Leeds-Rodrigo blow
Leeds United ace Rodrigo would have benefitted from a summer of tournament football, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Whites hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claims the Spaniard’s international snub isn’t quite a blessing in disguise.
Rodrigo, 29, only started 14 Premier League games last season after a campaign blighted by fitness issues and injuries.
As a result, the attacker was left out of Spain’s squad for this summer’s European Championship.
Since 2019, Rodrigo has gained 10 Spain caps and scored four times for his country.
Not going to the Euros gives him the chance to have a full pre-season and gain his fitness back after a disrupted first year at Leeds.
When asked if Rodrigo’s snub was a blessing in disguise, Whelan told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, “It is and it isn’t.
“I would love to see him there, I think he needs the game time. He’s in a good place now.
“Frankly, he’s not played that much football this year so he could have done with going to the Euros.
“Being out there and getting that match fitness, that confidence and belief back into his game.
“He probably wouldn’t have played every game but he would be in and around the side.
“He’s a player who could do with the strength and the match fitness. It would also give Leeds fans the chance to see him in action.
“There are two different sides to it. He still could have had that rest time but he would be back with the confidence of playing in a major tournament.
“At least we know he’ll come back for pre-season without an injury but you want your players to be as successful as possible.”
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