Marcelo Bielsa reacts to Rodrigo’s display in Leeds draw

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Marcelo Bielsa has suggested that Rodrigo Moreno’s performance during Leeds United’s draw with Chelsea was better than it had any right to be given how long he has been sidelined – in comments reported by Leeds Live.

Rodrigo made his return after more than a month out during Monday’s clash at West Ham. Perhaps surprisingly however, he started Saturday’s game at Elland Road on the bench.

But he did not have to wait too long before he came on. Patrick Bamford had to come off 10 minutes before the break after picking up a knock.

It proved to be an interesting game for Rodrigo. He was given the chance to make one of his first league appearances for the club in the striker role.

His best opportunity came during the second-half. However, he put his header straight at Edouard Mendy. And he did not manage to see out the rest of the 90 minutes.

Bielsa took him off with 11 minutes remaining. It is not unprecedented for Bielsa to replace a substitute by any means.

And after the game, Bielsa was asked whether he planned to apologise to the 30-year-old – just as he had done when Tyler Roberts had gone through a similar experience last season.

“The contribution that Rodrigo made was above what he’s actually capable of doing at this moment,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live. “More than apologising to to him, I have to thank him for the contribution that he made whilst he was on the pitch, because I insist the contributions he made do not correspond to where he’s at in his return.”

It seems unlikely that Rodrigo will view the decision with any greater frustration than if he had been a starter taken off at a crucial point of the game.

The summer signing went through something similar at Sheffield United earlier this season. And obviously, he would not have expected to come on so early against Chelsea anyway.

Bielsa was clearly happy with his performance. So there seems to be little reason for anyone to read too much into his decision to take him off.