Goals have been the headline from Rodrigo’s season up to now, but the unseen work he does behind the Leeds United scenes may go missing in the critique of his on-pitch contributions. While he’s not hit the heights of a club-record signing in Leeds, it can be easy to overlook his wider achievements in the game.
To someone as impressionable and keen to learn as Mateo Joseph, Rodrigo must be idolised. The 19-year-old has grown up in the same country, playing the same position as Rodrigo, while watching him play in La Liga and for Spain.
It’s hard to overestimate the impact on Joseph of looking across his first senior dressing room and seeing not only a role model, but a role model proactively looking to help him. Joseph has lit up the under-21 ranks with such ferocity this season it was impossible for Jesse Marsch not to promote him.
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Former under-23 boss Mark Jackson and compatriot Rodrigo have been crucial bridges for Joseph. A full debut at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the EFL Cup was followed by two priceless minutes in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur.
“Since the first day, he (Rodrigo) came to me and he said, with all the confidence, ‘If you want to talk about something, about this new chapter in your life, come to me and we can go to have dinner,’” said Joseph.
“Since the first moment, he has been great, like the great person he is. I have to say thank you to him and I am very happy to be with him because he is a really good striker.”
Joseph took Rodrigo’s place last week in the friendly at Elche. It was a half-hour run-out which capped off a worthwhile week for the youngster, who was able to pick the brains of senior players without any distractions back home.
It’s in those small moments, between meals or training sessions, the apprentice can take the tips of the trade from the master.
“He can help me because he’s the same position as me,” said Joseph. “For example, when a long ball is coming in, [he told me] to bump in[to the defender] just before the ball is coming, [take] less touches in the box.
“Things like that. Small details he can tell me because he’s a really good striker. I’m looking forward to listening to every piece of advice because I want to improve.”
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