Eyebrows would be raised at the suggestion that Owen Coyle is 10 years ahead of Marcelo Bielsa, but when it comes to signing Rodrigo Moreno, that is exactly the case.
Spain striker Rodrigo, 29, became the most expensive capture in Leeds United’s history when he arrived from Valencia in a £27million transfer on Saturday.
Germany defender Robin Koch swiftly followed in a £13million move, but the marquee signing of Rodrigo was seen as the benchmark of Leeds’ new-found ambition.
The Yorkshire giants are back in the Premier League after a 16-year absence and Rodrigo is returning for the first time since a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers during the 2010/11 season.
He arrived from Real Madrid along with current Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso as Coyle, then Bolton manager, attempted to sign both players permanently. Had things turned out a little differently, and Angel Di Maria not moved from Benfica to the Bernabeu in 2010, he might have succeeded.
Coyle told i: “We had watched Marcos and Rodrigo numerous times playing for Castilla, Real Madrid’s B team, in the Segunda Division.
“We loved what we saw and knew both of them were going to be absolute stars. We paid Real Madrid €1million for Marcos and had agreed to buy Rodrigo as well.
“But Angel Di Maria was moving from Benfica to Real Madrid and Rodrigo was used as part of the deal. Benfica were big admirers of Rodrigo, as were many big clubs at the time, so he ended up there.
“Credit to Benfica, though, because they allowed us to take Rodrigo on loan as they knew he maybe wouldn’t be starting every game given the quality they had at the time.
“I think they recognised that coming to play for Bolton on loan in the Premier League would be good for his development and so it proved.”
Rodrigo was still a teenager when he joined the Trotters and scored just one goal in 17 appearances, yet Coyle said his talent was clear to see.
He remembered: “Rodrigo was probably used more as an impact substitute but that was because we had more senior guys like Kevin Davies, Johan Elmander and Ivan Klasnic.
“But our boys absolutely loved him and he had a big smile on his face every day – he’s a lovely human being as well as a great footballer.
“You could see him getting better and every time he took to the field he lit the place up. I loved everything about the lad and would get excited when he got the ball because he had so much ability.
“He learned the language and improved as the season went on. I have watched Rodrigo since he left Bolton and he’s got better and better.”
After his Bolton loan came three successful seasons at Benfica before Brazil-born Rodrigo joined Valencia and became a regular in the Spain side. Coyle feels he will prove the perfect fit for Leeds’ high-tempo style of play under Bielsa.
Coyle was recently appointed as the new head coach of Jamshedpur ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League season. The 54-year-old guided Chennaiyin FC to a runners-up finish last season after taking charge midway their campaign.
Coyle added: “Leeds play with such intensity and Bielsa has clearly targeted someone who can carry out his gameplan.
“The beauty about Rodrigo is that he’s so flexible and can play anywhere across the frontline – number 7, 11, 9 or 10. Leeds have paid a huge fee, but for me, there is no doubt he’s going to have a huge impact, wherever Bielsa chooses to play him.
“Ability will only take you so far – you need drive, desire and tenacity to reach the top and Rodrigo has done that.
“The Leeds United fans will absolutely love him because what they will see is a boy who is giving his heart and soul for the team. There is no doubt that everybody at Elland Road, from his team-mates to coaching and office staff, will take to him.
“I’m convinced Rodrigo will prove a wonderful signing for a fantastic manager at a brilliant club.”
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