The Athletic’s Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has shared ‘good news’ on the injury sustained by Rodrigo last month.
The lowdown
The Spaniard was forced off 32 minutes into last week’s clash against Everton at Elland Road as he dislocated his shoulder, interrupting a scintillating start to the 2022/23 season for the player.
Prior to the clash against the Toffees, he had scored four goals and provided one assist in the Whites’ first four Premier League matches of the campaign.
Leeds’ injury list also includes right-back Rasmus Kristensen (knock), Junior Firpo (knee) and Stuart Dallas (leg).
The latest
Hay says that the exact timeline for Rodrigo’s return isn’t clear but emphasises the big positive that the player doesn’t require surgery, as that would have significantly delayed the 31-year-old’s comeback.
Responding to readers on The Athletic’s matchday forum from the weekend clash against Brentford, the journalist revealed: “Prognosis is 3-4 weeks. Marsch did say it could be slightly shorter or longer either way but good news is that he doesn’t need surgery. That would have been a much more substantial absence.”
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The verdict
Rodrigo’s injury was particularly ill-timed as he was in perhaps the best form of his Leeds career.
He had never previously scored in three consecutive Premier League games prior to last month and is already within two goals of his entire 2021/22 tally (via Transfermarkt).
Jesse Marsch went further still, saying that the Spaniard had been in the ‘form of his life’ and hailing him as a ‘massive’ figure for the team who has been ‘all-in’ with his commitment to the cause.
It’s not just the goals which will be missed until Rodrigo’s return. He also contributes off the ball, ranking in the 92nd percentile among forwards in the big five leagues for both interceptions and clearances.
Also, having donned the armband in three of the team’s five matches so far this term, he brings leadership qualities to one of the top-flight’s youngest squads.
