Player Focus: Ricardo the Other Rodriguez Teams Should be Chasing
Top quality full-backs are at a premium these days. Players in the position are expected to defend and attack in equal measure over the duration of matches, providing an offensive outlet from deep, but have the fitness to return to the defence when on the back foot. In fact, one could go as far to say they can be considered one of the most important players on the pitch, such are their demanding duties.
Luke Shaw’s £30m move to Manchester United last month set the tone for what could be a busy summer involving full-backs. Alberto Moreno, Serge Aurier, Daley Blind and Ben Davies have all been linked with big money moves as teams aim to strengthen this position in the back four. However, one name has rarely featured in the gossip columns during the transfer window, that of Ricardo Rodriguez.
The left-back was the highest rated defender (8.12) at the World Cup, continuing his fine form from the Bundesliga last season. Only Franck Ribéry (8.24) scored higher than Rodríguez (8.02), reflecting what was a hugely impressive campaign for the Swiss. No player won more man of the match awards than the 21-year-old in Germany’s top tier (9) and interest in his signature should be high now the World Cup has come to an end.
However, only United have been seriously linked with a move for Rodriguez, though the acquisition of Shaw has many wondering whether the club would spend big to secure another left-back. Despite the departure of Alexander Büttner and expected exit of Patrice Evra, the money that could be used to sign Rodriguez would be better used elsewhere, primarily midfield.
Southampton have money to burn following the departures of Shaw, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana, while Tottenham and Liverpool are in the market for a left-back and a player of Rodriguez’s calibre would vastly improve the trio. The Switzerland international directly contributed to the most goals (14 - 5 goals and 9 assists) of all defenders in Europe’s top 5 leagues last season, so his attacking credentials cannot be called into question.
Rodriguez followed this up with 2 assists at the World Cup as Switzerland disappointingly exited Brazil 2014 at the hands of Argentina at the last-16 stage. Nevertheless, the young defender put in a mightily commendable display in South America prior to the loss to La Albiceleste. Only Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (4), Daley Blind, Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos (all 3) bettered his assist return at the competition, with the quartet all making at least one more appearance than the Wolfsburg star.
The manner in which those assists came is important. With Switzerland 1-0 down to Ecuador in their Group E opener, Ottmar Hitzfield opted to take off Valentin Stocker for Admir Mehmedi at half time. More importantly though, Rodriguez took over corner taking responsibilities from Xherdan Shaqiri, as the Bayern Munich player was having no luck from these situations.
Three minutes after the interval, Rodríguez assisted for Mehmedi from a corner to draw Switzerland level with their South American counterparts. From that point, Hitzfield’s side frequently threatened from corners as Rodriguez’s dynamite delivery wreaked havoc. To Bundesliga aficionado, though, that will have come as little shock. Only Alexandru Maxim (7) provided more assists directly from set-pieces - corners and free kicks - in the Bundesliga last season than Rodriguez (5), accentuating just how good he is from these situations. For such an esteemed tactician, perhaps Hitzfield’s greatest error in judgement was not having Rodriguez on set-piece duties from the off at the World Cup.
His second assist in the same game though is the epitome of the type of left-back Rodriguez is. With the game coming to a head, Valon Behrami won possession in his 18-yard box before a counter-attack was instigated. Switzerland broke forward in numbers to catch out Ecuador, with their marauding left-back providing the width in the attacking third. Rodriguez received possession on the left flank, before breaking to the byline and pulling back for Haris Seferovic to tap into an empty net to confirm the win for the Swiss.
Despite the scorching heat and time running out, Rodriguez had the fitness levels to press forward and support the attack late on, which clearly benefitted the team. His creative influence is further highlighted in that only compatriot Josip Drmic (3 vs Honduras) created more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities in a single World Cup match than the young left-back (2 vs Ecuador) at Brazil 2014.
While he excels offensively, Rodriguez proved to be a consistent performer in the Switzerland defence this summer. The left-back made more tackles (20) than any other teammate, while no squad player made more interceptions than Rodriguez (10), both of which are in line with his Bundesliga averages last season (3.1 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per game).
The Wolfsburg star won possession the most times in the defensive third (18) of every Switzerland player and his ability to win the ball back for his side meant he could maximise his WhoScored strength of ‘dribbling’ to turn defence into attack at the drop of a hat. Rodriguez was one of only 27 players to make at least 1 last man tackle in the competition as he displayed his sensational defensive and offensive ability with aplomb, despite the testing conditions in Brazil.
His performances for the national team were of a similar standard to those with his club last term and with Premier League clubs striving to sign a left-back, they would be hard pressed to do better than Rodriguez. Wolfsburg would be loathe to losing one of their prized assets this summer, but a big money offer may be too much to turn down.
Moreno, Blind and Davies may be the subject of interest from a number of teams in England’s top tier, however, if they are looking to bring in the best left-back in the Europe at the moment, they would struggle to usurp Rodriguez.
Do you think interest in Ricardo Rodriguez should be higher? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
