Striker 'massive' for Jesse Marsch and Leeds United after choosing to ignore natural inclination

Sunday's win over Chelsea brought the Spaniard's fourth goal of the season and what's more he wore the captain's armband at Elland Road.

Marsch says the striker's dedication to the cause made it a natural decision to make Rodrigo captain in the absence of Liam Cooper and Patrick Bamford.

"He's been massive," said Marsch.

"He's been all in. He's been getting better every day. Every week. He's committed at the highest level. He was the captain, rightfully so."

The American has previously admitted that his and Rodrigo's relationship has not always been easy and on Sunday revealed a suspicion that his forward's natural inclination is not to press for 90 minutes.

But sticking to the game plan is evidently paying off for Rodrigo and others.

"I think I've said I've enjoyed working with him since I've been here," said Marsch.

"He's been very positive. He's tried to do and implement the things that I've asked of him. I know that sometimes he doesn't always want to do the things, that he doesn't want to run the whole game and he doesn't want to have to commit himself, but I think they're all finding that if they do it together there's an infectiousness to playing this way. So the more we can do that, I think the more we can create belief and understanding then again, the goal will be to continue to grow and get better."

In goalscoring terms, though, Rodrigo's form couldn't be much better. With just three games gone he's already just two goals shy of last season's tally and three short of the seven netted in his debut campaign.

"I think he's potentially in the form of his life," said the head coach.

"I think we have a bunch of guys right now: Jack Harrison, Brenden Aaronson - you could go down the list, guys that are playing at a really, really high level right now. So that's always a good sign when individuals are playing well, when the group is clear with their roles and tactics. When we're flexible in the way we want to do things then you can start to feel like we can have real potential."