Rodrigo enjoyed a stunning start to the 2022/23 campaign for Leeds United as he grasped his opportunity to lead the line for Jesse Marsch in the Premier League.
He has scored four goals and created two ‘big chances’ for his teammates in five top-flight outings for the Whites this season, playing as a number 10 and as a striker during that time.
The Spaniard then suffered a shoulder injury in the draw with Everton and Marsch admitted that he could be out for a week or two months, depending on the severity of the blow.
He missed the 5-2 defeat to Brentford and it now remains to be seen how long he will be out of action for, which opens the door for someone else to step up at the top end of the pitch.
Marsch must now unleash summer signing Sonny Perkins to see if he is ready to make the step up to playing regular football in the Premier League.
The 18-year-old joined the club from West Ham in the summer and has hit the ground running in Yorkshire, scoring five goals in four games for the under-21’s.
Should Perkins be given a chance?
Yes
No
A private coach, Harry Brooks, hailed the youngster’s talent earlier this year, saying:
“He’s got incredible feet. Really smooth, he’s creative, as a ball striker, he’s probably the best ball striker I’ve ever worked with. Happy off both feet and a real natural footballer where you want him to get on the ball as often as he can.
“As a character he’s fantastic. He’s got magic, intelligence, football ability – not many players have magic nowadays, he certainly does. And yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing the season he’s gonna have.”
This suggests that he has a special gift on the ball and that he is clinical in front of goal, which is backed up by his statistics for the Whites and during his time at West Ham.
Perkins joined Leeds after enjoying a fine 2021/22 campaign with the Hammers. He scored 12 goals in 21 Premier League 2 outings and made his top-flight and Europa League debuts for David Moyes’ side.
The young attacker, who can play in a multitude of forward roles, has shown that he is a consistent, lethal, goalscorer at youth level and he now deserves an opportunity to show what he can do in the first-team.
Rodrigo’s injury has presented Marsch with a chance to experiment at the top end of the pitch and he must now unleash Perkins to see if he can translate his stunning strike rate in the academy to the Premier League.
