It was time to face the music. After battling back from a long injury absence, the acclimatisation process had not been the easiest for Rodrigo Moreno. He took his seat in a press conference in May of 2016, with cameras rolling and shutters chattering, as a part of what was then Pako Ayestaran’s struggling Valencia squad.
“You have to keep facing up to challenges to overcome the bad moments,” the striker explained. “I am saying that I would very much like to continue here and I still have plenty left to prove.”
That was a year and a half ago, with Ayestaran going on to face the chop after a disappointing stint in charge at Mestalla. Rodrigo continued to stutter along, before another injury picked up in January of this year set him back once again.
When the 26-year-old forward eventually returned to training in April, the 2016/2017 season was in its twilight period, meaning that as the Marcelino era rolled in during the summer there was little evidence that Rodrigo could fall back upon to suggest that he was of the right pedigree to continue with Los Che. Only his words remained, those which promised that he was prepared to dig in and prove he deserved an opportunity to persevere.
Purchased from Benfica for the princely sum of 30 million euros back in the summer of 2015, after a season spent on loan at the Spanish club, plenty was expected of the Brazil-born Spaniard upon his permanent arrival. His 45 goals across three seasons at the Portuguese club proved to be enough for Valencia to gamble on his signature, but it has taken an unexpected two years for him to find his feet once again.
Rather than being asked to play as a hardworking lone striker or wide man, Rodrigo has been deployed most regularly as a second striker this season. Despite doing his fair share of working back and coming deep to link up with the midfield, Valencia’s closely-knit unit is proving to provide enough chances to create a very happy hunting environment for the Spaniard.
In his first two seasons at the club, Rodrigo managed just seven goals in each across all competitions. Just seven LaLiga games into Marcelino’s reign, the former Bolton Wanderers loanee has already notched four, as well as contributing two assists. In the past, Valencia’s hire-and-fire policy in terms of coaches was misguided and ham-handed. With a more balanced and focused squad, system and dressing room, the 26 year old is reaping the rewards. No longer is he a much-maligned figure, but instead a useful piece of a striking partnership.
While Simone Zaza is asked to be the focal point of the attack, Rodrigo is the nippy, mobile presence used to compliment him. Against Levante in the most recent local derby, Marcelino opted to go with both Rodrigo and Santi Mina, with the diminutive duo having the pace and movement required to cause problems in behind an opposition defence that prefers to have the game played ahead of them.
Rodrigo is multi-purpose and works hard for the cause, with his versatility in terms of his role perhaps being one of the major factors behind his call up to Julen Lopetegui’s most recent Spain squad. Against Albania on Friday evening, the Valencia striker thumped home a wonderful let-footed finish, announcing himself back on the international scene with a couple of glaring misses and one well-taken goal.
It has not been the most scenic route back to the top for Rodrigo, who has endured a tough few years both for club and country, but the 2017/2018 season promises something new: optimism. After plenty of criticism and injury problems, the clouds appear to have finally parted.
Spain complete their World Cup qualification campaign against Israel on Monday night (Kick Off 19:45 BST)
