Champion League
Leeds Could Sign Rodrigo Heir In “Sensational” £15k-p/w Ace

With promotion skilled Daniel Farke now on the helm, Leeds United will little doubt be plotting to safe an instantaneous return again to the Premier League this time period, having slipped again into the second tier final time period after simply three years within the top-flight.
The probabilities of Farke – who sealed two promotions from the Championship throughout his time at Norwich Metropolis – pulling off that feat haven’t been aided by the possible mass exodus that the Whites are set to endure, with the likes of Robin Koch and Brenden Aaronson having already moved out on mortgage.
A far larger blow, nevertheless, appears to be the upcoming exit of final season’s high scorer, Rodrigo, with the 32-year-old Spaniard seemingly on his way to Qatar to hitch Al-Rayyan, after three seasons at Elland Highway.
Since signing from Valencia again in the summertime of 2020, the skilled marksman has netted 27 times in 95 games in all competitions for the Yorkshire giants, with 15 of those strikes coming final time period regardless of the membership’s eventual relegation.
With no different Leeds participant having even reached double figures for goals in 2022/23, the Brazil-born hitman will depart a notable void in Farke’s squad, with it unlikely to show a simple repair attempting to exchange his affect in assault.
One identify that has been talked about as a potential centre-forward goal of late, nevertheless, is Nottingham Forest’s Sam Surridge – in line with The Athletic’s Phil Hay – with the 24-year-old additionally attracting curiosity from MLS golf equipment amid his restricted recreation time on the Metropolis Floor, after beginning just two league games final time period.
Whereas the Englishman might not be probably the most glamourous of signings, his prior expertise within the second tier might show invaluable for Farke and co subsequent season…
How good is Sam Surridge?
It’s honest to say that the Slough-born striker endured a irritating 2022/23 marketing campaign after scoring simply one Premier League goal for Steve Cooper’s aspect, albeit with the previous Stoke Metropolis striker having been a vital determine in Forest’s profitable promotion cost within the earlier season.
Having signed from the Potters in January 2022, Surridge went on to attain seven goals in just 17 Championship appearances within the second of the season, having arguably been “the most effective finishers” within the league, in line with Forest legend, Gary Birtles – who additionally dubbed him “sensational” in entrance of objective.
That view has been echoed by journalist Lee Clarke, who not too long ago hailed the £15k-per-week ace as one thing of a “cheat code” as a consequence of that glowing earlier type, as he merely “by no means regarded like lacking” when performed in on objective.
Evidently a participant who might fill the goalscoring sneakers of Rodrigo, Surridge can be an asset as a consequence of his hard-working nature when main the road, with Birtles describing him as a participant who “worries defenders”, whereas additionally stating:
“His work charge and attempting to shut defenders right down to cease them enjoying, that lets midfield push up a few yards and the defenders much more. That makes life extra uncomfortable and problematic for the opposition.”
That prepared work ethic is seemingly shared by Leeds’ departing ahead, with the ageing sensation notably ranking in the top 11% amongst these in his place in Europe’s huge 5 leagues for tackles made, showcasing that want to defend from the entrance.
That may counsel that if Farke is flip to Surridge to be the primary man subsequent season, the 6 foot 3 machine might show to be the right inheritor to Rodrigo at Elland Highway.