Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca has opened up on the crucial role ‘older brother’ Rodrigo played in helping him settle in at Elland Road. Roca is just 12 league games into his Whites career having made the move from Bayern Munich to West Yorkshire over the summer, but his transition to the Premier League has been seamless.
The Spaniard has struck up a promising partnership with Tyler Adams in the middle of the field with the pair playing all but one game together under Jesse Marsch. However, Roca has also built up a strong off the field relationship with Rodrigo, who currently has six Premier League goals to his name this season.
Rodrigo is a member of Marsch’s leadership council, alongside the likes of Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford and Stuart Dallas, and his guidance and friendship has been key for Roca. As such, Roca is rooting for Rodrigo to be selected to represent Spain in Qatar later this month.
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“Rodrigo is a leader in the dressing room, he is a very-important player,” Roca told Marca. “He took me in as an older brother from the first moment.
“The truth is, we get along super well. He is incredible, and I hope he goes to the World Cup,”
Rodrigo hasn’t been the only man helping Roca at Elland Road, though, with the midfielder pointing to the input of Joel Robles. The goalkeeper hasn’t made an appearance for the Whites just yet following his arrival in the summer, with his only outing coming for the U21s against Bolton Wanderers in the Papa John’s Trophy.
However, despite being rooted behind Illan Meslier in the pecking order, his influence around Thorp Arch has been huge, according to Roca. The midfielder credits Robles as another key figure around the club and one that has helped him get to grips with Leeds life.
“Joel Robles is an incredible teacher,” Roca added. “He is here with us, he is contributing everything he can.
“He is very happy to be with this group, as a Spaniard for me, the transition has been very, very easy with players like Joel at the club.”
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