Leeds striker Rodrigo’s omission from Spain’s latest squad “isn’t a surprise”, according to former Premier League Golden Boot winner Kevin Phillips.
The 30-year-old joined Leeds last August, with the Whites snapping him up for a club-record fee of £26m from Valencia and giving him £3m a year in wages.
It has been a disappointing debut season for Rodrigo, however, with the striker scoring just three goals in 20 Premier League appearances, starting only 12 times in the division.
Patchy form and fitness issues have also seen the ex-Valencia man miss out on Spain’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, further highlighting his struggles.
Rodrigo omission fair, insists Phillips
Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips gave his thoughts on Rodrigo missing out for his country, admitting that the writing was on the wall given his form and injury woes in recent months:
“All the national sides will have one eye on the European Championships in the summer. If you’re not playing regularly for your club side then it becomes even more difficult to pick a player who’s lacking game time and sharpness and Rodrigo falls into that category.
“Let’s not forget, we’re talking about Spain here. They aren’t the force they used to be but they still have very good quality players.
“But to me, it isn’t a surprise that he hasn’t made the Spain squad.”
Transfer Tavern take
There is no denying that Rodrigo hasn’t set the world alight at Leeds yet, with his Spain omission not in the least bit surprising, as Phillips has intimated.
He is still a striker with undoubted pedigree from his time with Valencia and Benfica, though, and if he can stay fit next season and get a run in the team, there is no reason why he can’t go on to be a success story at Elland Road.
In other news, Phil Hay has provided a key update on Leeds’ summer transfer business. Read about it here.
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