Leeds United completed the signing of Joe Rothwell on Thursday and we spoke to Fraser Spinney of Southampton FC News on whether he will be a good signing.
Rothwell has made the season-long-loan switch from Premier League side Bournemouth, a club Leeds seem to have a good relationship with given the number of deals that have taken place with them in the last 12 months.
But it was at Southampton that Rothwell made the majority of his appearances last season, moving on loan to St. Mary’s for the second half of the campaign.
He only actually started four Championship matches during his time at Southampton but did manage to have some sort of an impact.
The 29-year-old scored four goals with a couple of braces against Sunderland and Huddersfield Town, with his contribution effectively winning them six points.
Southampton expert delivers verdict on Leeds signing Rothwell
Rothwell’s goals are undoubtedly going to be useful next season, considering none of Leeds’ midfielders managed to find the net during the regular campaign.
However, given that he started just four league matches during his loan spell at St. Mary’s, in which Southampton picked up one draw and three defeats, clearly he struggled to make a real impact.
LeedsUnited.News have spoken to Southampton FC News writer Fraser Spinney about Rothwell’s arrival at Elland Road, and it would be fair to say the jury is out.
Spinney says Rothwell really struggled to adapt to the demands of a Martin team, but thinks a full pre-season under his belt under Daniel Farke could mean he has a better time of it at Leeds.
He said: “In terms of whether it would be a good signing I’m not so sure. He had very little impact on loan at Southampton last season and struggled to adapt to what Martin wanted from him.
“Only started four games and was poor each time he started but scored two braces off the bench, all of which were very good goals so can have an impact. Won Championship goal of the month in February too.
“Has been a decent player prior to Saints loan at Championship level so perhaps with a pre-season under his belt he’ll be a good addition.”
Rothwell has assets he can bring to Leeds
During Martin’s time in management he has become renowned for his patient and possession-based style of play, something which Rothwell seemingly did not take too well to.
Farke’s Leeds do also like to dominate the ball, but there is certainly more scope for players to express their individual quality through dribbling, as shown with Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
Spinney says that Rothwell’s ball carrying is his best attribute and that could therefore allow him to make more of an impact at Leeds.
He said: “Ball carrying is probably his main asset but it is more difficult to demonstrate in a Martin side. Ball striking is also a big one, think that’s one of the reasons Martin wanted him so we had someone capable of shooting from distance. His passing let him down for Saints and he isn’t particularly great out of possession, winning duels etc.”