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.
