'This guy is amazing' - Jermaine Beckford heaps praise on Leeds player he 'desperately' wants to see back in starting XI

Jermaine Beckford has lavished praise on Leeds United forward Rodrigo, claiming that Marcelo Bielsa’s men have desperately missed his presence in recent matches.
Rodrigo Moreno of Leeds United. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)Rodrigo Moreno of Leeds United. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Rodrigo Moreno of Leeds United. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The Whites suffered their second successive 4-1 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, having succumbed to the same scoreline against Leicester City just days prior.

Rodrigo was absent from both fixtures after coming into contact with somebody who had tested positive for Covid-19, and Leeds noticeably missed his creative quality in the final third.

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The 29-year-old’s period of self-isolation will come to an end during the current international break, meaning that he should be available to return to the side against Arsenal on November 22nd – and Beckford is eager to see the summer signing make his comeback.

Speaking on the Doing a Leeds podcast, actor and co-host Matthew Lewis said: “Rodrigo I think has proven in the last two games that he’s worth £27 million. By basically not having him, we look a different team.”

In response, Beckford said: “Rodrigo, mate, this guy is amazing.

"I didn’t realise how much went through him until that Leicester game. We just miss him. We missed the creativity, the ball sticking in that number 10 role.

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"My frustration is that we didn’t get him sooner, if I’m honest. I desperately can’t wait for him to come back.

"He’ll be back, fortunately, straight after the international break, so he’ll have only missed [those two], which is good.”

Prior to the Leicester game, Rodrigo had started Leeds’ last two Premier League matches in an advanced midfield role, putting in eye-catching performances against both Wolves and Aston Villa.