Rodrigo in no rush for Bolton Wanderers debut
8:50am Thursday 9th September 2010 in Sport
RODRIGO Moreno admits he may have to bide his time before bringing a touch of samba style to the Reebok.
The new loan signing takes his place in the Wanderers squad for the first time this weekend, as Owen Coyle’s men aim to continue their encouraging start to the season against Arsenal.
But the trip could come too soon for 19-year-old striker Rodrigo, pictured, who only began training at Euxton on Monday with his new team-mates after arriving from Benfica.
“Obviously it will take a few weeks to settle into everything because there is a lot to get used to, like the climate and the new methods of training but I am sure everything will come together in the best possible way,” he said.
“I was very happy when I learned Bolton were interested in me, and it confirmed the trust they have in me.
“When I play will be a matter for the manager to decide because he knows better than anyone else who is ready to play. What I can say is that when I am called upon, then I will give my best to help Bolton Wanderers.”
Rodrigo, who was born in Brazil but opted to represent Spain Under-19 level, says the input of international team-mate Marcos Alonso helped to convince him to join Wanderers, just a few weeks after arriving at Benfica in a deal worth £5million from Real Madrid.
“I spoke to Marcos even before I came here, and the words he had about the football club, the management, the supporters and the environment around the club were very important.
“Now I have the possibility to play in other football leagues and progress my career.”
The Bernabeu youth product trained alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka in the real first team last season but was sent to Portugal as part of the deal to sign Argentina international Angel Di Maria.
Owen Coyle has tipped him to represent Spain at senior level in the future but the teenager – whose father Adalberto played alongside Socrates, Zico and Bebeto for Flamengo in the 80s – is happy to earn his spurs in the Premier League for now.
“It’s too early for me to start talking about that because I am just starting my career,” he said.
“The amount of work I do on a daily basis in training will make me progress and be a better player. Hopefully, one day my time will come.”
Rodrigo counts Brazil legends Ronaldo and Rivaldo as his footballing heroes – and reckons he has often been compared to the latter, who came close to signing for Wanderers six years ago.
“The player I admire the most was Ronaldo, the Phenomenon, and Rivaldo, because they were two forward players who represented Brazil,” he said.
“Many people compare me with Rivaldo because I am also left-footed, and my appearance is quite similar to his.
“I could never compare myself to those players but I hope one day to come close.”
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