Former Leeds United striker Rodrigo Moreno has opened up on what it is like to play under his former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Rodrigo Moreno joined Leeds following their promotion to the Premier League ahead of the 2020/21 season and became a firm favourite with the fans.
Although Rodrigo’s time at Leeds ended with the disappointing relegation in the 2022/23 season, he was one of the shining lights at Elland Road that year, as he scored 13 goals in his best season for the club.
Rodrigo was brought to the club by legendary former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa and was part of the Leeds side that stormed to a ninth-place finish in their first season back in the top flight.
Now, Rodrigo has sent a heartfelt message to his former Leeds boss, as he reflected on what it was like to play under the Argentinian genius.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesRodrigo Moreno reflects on Marcelo Bielsa relationship
Speaking to Flashscore, Rodrigo opened up on what it was like to work under Bielsa during his time at Leeds.
According to Rodrigo, although he found the initial transitional period a challenge, he regards his time working with Bielsa as a special time in his career.
Rodrigo said: “It was a very good experience. I learned a lot from him, in many different ways. He is a legend in Leeds, people there love him, and deservedly so. After more than 20 years, he brought them back to the Premier League. It was special playing for him, I always wish him all the best.”
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He added: “I think for every player who arrives in the Premier League, their first season is very difficult. It’s very physical and demanding, and the pace of the game is completely different.
“The Premier League sometimes looks and feels like a different sport, you know? It was a very challenging moment in my career. Especially for the first season and a half with Bielsa, a very good but very demanding coach.”
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty ImagesLeeds United need a goalscorer of Rodrigo’s calibre in their relegation fight
Rodrigo scored 27 goals in 105 appearances in the Premier League, according to TransferMarkt; however, his output improved when he was selected as a central striker under Jesse Marsch.
During Leeds’ last spell in the Premier League, a member of their squad scored more than 10 goals in each season, highlighting the importance of having a reliable goalscorer.
Leeds’ top scorer in their last three Premier League seasons:
- 2020/21 – Patrick Bamford – 17 goals
- 2021/22 – Raphinha – 11 goals
- 2022/23 – Rodrigo Moreno – 13 goals
In the 2020/21 season, Patrick Bamford fired his way into England contention with 17 goals, followed by 11 goals from Raphinha in 21/22, as he earned a move to Barcelona.
With Joe Rodon sitting joint-top of Leeds’ goal-scoring charts this season with two, it is not clear where the goals Daniel Farke needs to fire his side to safety are coming from, following a disheartening defeat against Brighton.