How Rodrigo's Nations League involvement could be key in Leeds United quarantine issue

The Whites' record signing, confirmed this morning in a deal that cost around £27m, flew into England this week and began to self isolate, because Spain was removed from the UK government's list of corridor countries on July 25.

Current guidelines state that anyone arriving in the country from Spain should self isolate for 14 days.

But his involvement with the national team means Rodrigo will now travel to join up with the Spain side for this week's game against Germany in Stuttgart, before the Sunday September 6 clash with Ukraine at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.

Earlier this month UEFA urged its member federations to ask governments to exempt footballers from quarantine after travel.

“Players coming from foreign clubs might be at risk of quarantine measures upon their return to their country of residence,” a spokesperson said.

“Associations were encouraged to approach their governments to seek exemptions for players and team members. The fact that players will anyway be regularly tested as part of the comprehensive UEFA Return to Play Protocol should ensure that such exemptions do not represent any risk for society.”

Although the Premier League has written to clubs with updated training protocols, which includes specific requirements for players returning from international travel and the insistence that no player or staff member who has left the UK will be permitted to enter training grounds unless they have complied with government quarantine guidelines and tested negative for the virus, exemptions are a matter for the FA.

Rodrigo's involvement in the Nations League likely to play in Leeds' favour. The FA, in conjunction with the government, are considering exemptions on a case-by-case basis and the YEP understands that travel for the purposes of playing in matches is a factor that can be taken into consideration. If Rodrigo was returning to Yorkshire from a holiday in Spain, an exemption would be highly unlikely. It is possible that the 'bubble' environment for Spain's Nations League games could allow the argument to be made that Rodrigo's quarantine period had simply continued during his time with Luis Enrique's side.

Liverpool were granted an exemption for their return to the country from a pre-season trip to Austria.

Robin Koch, who arrived in Leeds earlier today and is expected to complete a move from SC Freiburg, will not have to quarantine at all because he arrived from Germany which is a corridor country. He too will take part in the Nations League this week and could face new team-mate Rodrigo in action on Thursday.

Leeds' Premier League rivals Manchester United have been hit with a positive test for Paul Pogba, who will now miss the start of their preparations for the new season. His test result was confirmed by France coach Didier Deschamps this week.