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In the 2020 summer transfer window, Leeds United signed Rodrigo Moreno from Valencia for a club-record £27 million.
The Spaniard ousted Rio Ferdinand as Elland Road’s most expensive import, a title he had held for two decades. Excitement gradually built as speculation grew, culminating in general jubilance from fans upon his eventual arrival. Regardless of their newly promoted status, Leeds had just signed Spain’s starting number 9. Some were slightly sceptical due to Rodrigo’s age and somewhat lacklustre goal return, but were vastly outweighed by the happier general consensus.
At the time, most assumed that Rodrigo had been signed to replace Patrick Bamford as the lone striker in the Bielsa system. This was a completely valid conclusion to jump to. Bamford had scored 16 goals in the title-winning season, but his performances were often marred with noticeable inconsistencies and lacklustre finishing that glossed over the positives of his game.
As for Rodrigo, he had been utilised as a winger in his career, but Leeds already had Jack Harrison and Helder Costa on each wing (Raphinha hadn’t signed at the time). Playing as a centre forward for Valencia in the 2019/20 season, Rodrigo had, in truth, had a relatively poor return, scoring only four goals but too contributing nine assists.
In defence of Leeds’ number 20, Valencia had been declining for several seasons and only so much can be expected from their players, Moreno included. In his peak campaign for Valencia, he finished with 16 goals and 7 assists, with this only being in the 2017/18 season. To think he would claim Leeds’ starting striker position was the natural assumption and a fair one at that.
It didn’t take much of the season, be it through Bielsa interviews or actual matches, to see that Rodrigo had not been signed to replace Patrick Bamford, but to support him in attack as one of United’s starting midfielders. A new position for a near thirty-year-old, Moreno was deployed alongside Mateusz Klich as the midfield pairing that sat just ahead of Kalvin Phillips, awaiting ball retention so that they could lead the counter, driving up the pitch, surrounded by white jerseys.
Rodrigo has had a definite impact on the Leeds side, but it is one that is far deeper than base statistics. Three goals and one assist in 18 games is hardly an exceptional return and it is this that spectators, fans and neutrals alike, have used to discredit Rodrigo’s effect on his side. Unfair criticisms for a seemingly underappreciated player.
Moreno’s presence in the midfield means it is far more capable offensively than it had been previously. Averaging 1.8 shots per game, Rodrigo has the third-highest shot rate in his side, behind Patrick Bamford and Raphinha. Bielsa’s philosophy often sees Leeds try and pass it into the goal, but when this sometimes fails, the presence of a player like Rodrigo who is completely unafraid to shoot the ball helps his side’s chances massively.
Whilst ranking relatively low in overall passing numbers, averaging only 25.4 per game, Rodrigo is Leeds’ fourth-most efficient key passer. From his midfield position, Rodrigo averages 1.3 key passes per game. Combined with 1.8 key passes per game from Klich, the presence of Moreno has made the Leeds midfield noticeably more solid in their offense and their ability to create chances has developed even further.
Whilst his per-game stats are impressive on their own, the study of his per 90 stats only further the importance of Rodrigo in the Leeds side. Per 90 minutes, Rodrigo averages three shots per game, as well as 2.1 key passes, ranking second and first for these in his team respectively.
Moreno’s impact is clear to, at the very least, most fans, but is made only clearer through such impressive statistics. You watch Rodrigo and you pick up on his game fairly swiftly. An intelligent player, Moreno reads the game quick and makes decisions quicker. His chemistry with the side has blossomed with time and he has revelled in his new midfield role, supporting the offensive line led by Patrick Bamford who has improved drastically during his time in the Premier League.
It is a credit to Bielsa for recognising Rodrigo’s potential in the midfield, but it is a testament to the player that he was able to adapt so quickly. At nearly 30, Rodrigo has been a professional for over a decade. Afore mentioned was his previous deployment on either wing. He too has occasionally played in an attacking midfield role, but never to the extent that he has done for United, whilst also having fewer defensive responsibilities with his previous sides. Be it mainly his adaptability or his willingness to learn a new position, Rodrigo Moreno deserves praise for how wholly he has embraced his new role.
Even still, some fans still call for Rodrigo to move to the lone striker position should Bamford have a poor run of form. Whilst it may work for Spain, Rodrigo as a striker doesn’t fit Bielsa’s system. What makes Bamford so favoured and so invaluable to Bielsa is his physicality, hold up play and aerial ability, amongst many other factors.
Rodrigo does share some aspects with Bamford, such as finishing and stamina. However, he lacks the physicality that makes Bamford particularly important to the United way of football. In the few games played at striker for Leeds, such as against Arsenal and Sheffield United (and an FA Cup tie in January that still stings to this day), it is clear that Rodrigo can’t maintain the dominance as a lone frontman that Bamford seems to revel in, having failed to replicate the Englishman’s presence in numerous attempts.
Rodrigo can be criticised as a striker for Leeds, it doesn’t reflect on his true position in the side. In the same way that Pascal Struijk is critiqued as a CDM but immensely commended as a centre-back, Rodrigo can be acclaimed as a midfielder whilst reproved as a striker, at least for Leeds. He cost a lot of money, that is certain, but Rodrigo Moreno’s impact on Leeds goes far deeper than the basic stats. With the Spaniard looking more and more comfortable with each passing game, there is an immense upside to Leeds’ record signing despite his age, and it is something that fans will appreciate seeing come to fruition.
