Starts for Leeds United are no bearing on Marc Roca’s importance to the club or even Spain for that matter. Head coach Javi Gracia drafted his compatriot into a Premier League starting line-up for the first time in his tenure on Saturday.
The 26-year-old replaced Weston McKennie in the side which drew 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, though he was removed not long after the hour mark with the team 2-1 down. Roca had previously been used in a midfield three by Gracia at Fulham in the cup before he was dropped again at Chelsea.
However, speaking to DAZN, Gracia has made it clear how impressed he is with Roca despite the limited minutes he has thus far seen under the new boss. It should not be forgotten the midfielder had been missing from three matchday squads through injury before that late cameo against Southampton.
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Roca has played for Spain’s under-21s before, but never quite done enough to catch the eye of senior national team bosses. Gracia, who also had a brief under-21 career as a player, feels the midfielder could pull the strings with La Roja.
“He has been, is and will be important,” he said. “The importance of Marc’s participation in the team, from my point of view, should not be reduced to whether he starts every game or not.
“He is going to be important for us, without a doubt. I would even go as far as to say on the national scene.
“He is a player that could be helping in the national team if the coach considers it appropriate. He is a player who is at a very good level, regardless of whether he plays more or less minutes.”
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