Here is the Leeds United morning digest for Thursday, April 1.
Rodrigo rubbishes rumours
Rodrigo has rubbished rumours which claimed he is unhappy at Leeds United following a stop-start first season with the club.
Rodrigo joined Leeds from Valencia in a club-record £26million transfer in August but has struggled to find full fitness and get a prolonged run in the side due to coronavirus and injuries.
Reports in Spain recently said the 30-year-old was ready to leave Elland Road and had asked permission to move in the upcoming summer transfer window, but Rodrigo said that is far from the case.
“I’m not a person to comment on nonsense stories, however in this case I want to make it clear that stories about me wanting to leave Leeds and a bad relationship with Marcelo are false,” he wrote on Instagram last night.
“I am very sorry that some people try to misinform our fans - my feelings are the opposite.
“I am happy, focused and working hard to help my teammates to end this great season in the best possible way. I love being at @leedsunited, I respect my coach and I identify with this Club!
“Come on Leeds MOT.”
Alioski part of Germany upset
Germany’s official Twitter account poked fun at Leeds left-back Gianni Alioski during Germany’s World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia last night.
Alioski was beaten by Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane in the first half, prompting Germany’s English language account to post: “Ciao-ski” alongside a photo of the moment.
The Leeds man certainly had the last laugh at Duisburg’s MSV-Arena, though, with North Macedonia pulling off a surprise 2-1 win.
Veteran striker Goran Pandev put the visitors in front before Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan levelled from the penalty spot.
Chelsea’s Timo Werner missed an open goal before Elif Elmas grabbed the winner by side-footing home in the 85th minute.
That goal wrapped up a stunning win for North Macedonia, who are ranked 65th in the world by Fifa, against a side which included Bayern Munich trio Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.
Page comments on Roberts’ Euros chances
Robert Page has insisted that Tyler Roberts’ chances of being named in the Wales squad for this summer’s European Championships will not be affected by his recent breach of team protocols.
Leeds United midfielder Roberts was released from the Wales camp on Monday in the build up to their World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening for “breaching FAW protocol.”
Roberts apologised for being “up in the hotel later than the set time” and caretaker manager Page refused to explain further what Roberts, Hal Robson-Kanu and Rabbi Matondo had been sent home for.
“No, that’s an in-house issue that we’ve had. We’ve dealt with it,” Page said after Wales’ 1-0 win over the Czech Republic on Tuesday when asked if he could clear up what happened.
Page was then asked if the trios’ places in the squad for the Euros could be threatened by their behaviour.
“No. We’ve drawn a line under it,” he replied. “Everyone’s on a level playing field. We’ve drawn a line under it, we’ve moved forward.”
