Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 5.
Rodrigo (LEE)
Rodrigo is hoping to become the first Leeds United player to score in their opening three home matches of a Premier League campaign since Lee Chapman in 1992/93.
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The Spain international has been razor sharp in the early weeks of 2022/23, notching four goals in as many appearances and will fancy his chances of adding to that tally against Everton on Tuesday.
Stepping up to lead the line in Patrick Bamford’s absence, Rodrigo faces a Toffees side who have registered just one Premier League clean sheet in the last 12 months.
Becoming the focal point
Rodrigo’s all-round intelligence means he is often deployed in a withdrawn No 10 forward role, rather than acting as the spearhead of Leeds’ attack.
Under Marcelo Bielsa and current head coach Jesse Marsch, he has occupied that position on a regular basis.
He started this season playing off main striker Bamford too, but at half-time against Southampton, he was pushed up top following an injury to the English forward.
Since then, Rodrigo’s movement and finishing have been exceptional.
He darted across defenders to score with clever near-post finishes against Southampton and Chelsea, while he got off the mark against Wolverhampton Wanderers with a low right-footed drive.
Rodrigo's goal v Chelsea
🤩 "Absolutely perfect!" pic.twitter.com/HdFx2abQNz
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 21, 2022
Being asked to perform in an advanced role seems to have given Rodrigo a renewed spring in his step, and his numbers are way in advance of what he produced last season.
Rodrigo season comparison
| 2021/22 | 2022/23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Shots/90 | 1.85 | 4.94 |
| Shots in box/90 | 0.99 | 4.12 |
| Shots on target/90 | 0.71 | 1.92 |
| Big chances/90 | 0.32 | 0.82 |
| Touches in opp. box/90 | 3.13 | 6.04 |
Determined to make the most of this opportunity, he has been a lively presence inside the final third.
The introduction of summer signing Brenden Aaronson has provided Leeds with an uplift in energy and turnover potential – and this has helped push the team higher up the pitch.
But it is Rodrigo’s partnership with in-form winger Jack Harrison, who has set up seven of his 18 shots so far, that has stood out most.
Most non-penalty shots and goals
| Non-penalty xG/90 | Non-penalty shots/90 | Non-penalty goals/90 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haaland | 0.86 | Rodrigo | 4.94 | Haaland | 1.38 |
| Rodrigo | 0.63 | Ronaldo | 4.71 | Rodrigo | 1.10 |
| Jesus | 0.63 | Haaland | 4.69 | Zaha | 1.03 |
| Salah | 0.55 | Mitrovic | 4.26 | Firmino | 0.86 |
Rodrigo’s own stats are significantly higher than they were last term, but he is also right up there with the best in the division on current form.
No one has fired off more non-penalty shots per 90 minutes (4.94) and his xG and goals-per-90 record is second only to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Such is his current form, don’t write off Rodrigo’s chances of matching Chapman's record on Tuesday.