‘It’s huge’ – Joe Rothwell recalls Marcelo Bielsa’s stunning moment as Leeds United outlet

VaselineJuly 13, 2024

0 2 minutes read

‘It’s huge’ – Joe Rothwell recalls Marcelo Bielsa’s stunning moment as Leeds United outlet

Soccer Football – Championship – Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers – Elland Road, Leeds, UK – December 26, 2018 Leeds United’s Kemar Roofe scores the third goal Action Images/Adam Holt EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No unauthorized use of audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online use during the match is limited to 75 images, without video emulation. Not used in single club/league/player betting, games or publications. Please contact your account representative for more details.

Leeds United announced the signing of Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth on a season-long loan this week and the midfielder is looking forward to being on the right side of the crowd at Elland Road.

Daniel Farke’s transfer window has been off to a slow start so far, but three signings are now on the door as he looks to build the strength of his squad.

His latest signing helped the Albi to promotion last season as he spent the second half of 23/24 on loan at Russell Martin’s Southampton.

Joe Rothwell signs for Leeds on loan for 24/25, including option to buy

Leeds’ third signing was confirmed in the form of midfielder Joe Rothwell this week, joining on a season-long loan from Bournemouth:

✍️ #LUFC is delighted to confirm the arrival of Joe Rothwell, who has signed on a season-long loan from Bournemouth

– Leeds United (@LUFC) July 11, 2024

Rothwell’s loan deal includes an option to buy Leeds due to agreeing to leave Andoni Iraola’s side again after apparently being deemed surplus to requirements by the Spaniard.

The 29-year-old spent the first six months of 2024 on loan at Southampton, where he helped Saints to promotion from the Championship by beating Leeds at Wembley.

Rothwell reveals two Elland Road moments that have stuck with him

Rothwell knows the best that Elland Road can conjure up on a matchday, having been on the losing side of two memorable comeback wins for Leeds.

Speaking to LUTV upon his arrival, he said the following:

“It’s huge. I think you think about Leeds and you think about the fans. I’ve had a few experiences playing here before, it’s the first time I’ve ever felt the stadium vibrate before a goal so it will be nice to be on the right side of supporters this time instead of the wrong side.”

The first of those he refers to was while on the cards for Blackburn Rovers, traveling across the Pennines on Boxing Day 2018, where Charlie Mulgrew thought he had won the match 2-1 against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, only for a Kemar Roof. prepare in extra time to turn the game around and cause mayhem among the home fans.

His second came in the Premier League with Bournemouth in November 2022 as the Cherries looked to be cruising to a 3-1 victory, leaving Jesse Marsch’s job one step away before the World Cup break, ahead of the comeback goals in the second half from Sam. Greenwood, Liam Cooper and Crysencio Summerville to once again leave Rothwell gasping for air.

Rothwell hoping to create lasting memories at the other end for Leeds

Those two games will have been cemented in Rothwell’s memory clearly, as are every Leeds fan who was present at Elland Road.

Heading into 24/25, it promises to be another season where Leeds are fighting for the top two positions (hopefully), so they could be on the right side.

It’s often a cliché that players say how good the atmosphere is and “as soon as Leeds came to say it was a no-brainer”, but Rothwell clearly felt it.

VaselineJuly 13, 2024

0 2 minutes read