Injuries can be cruel to players. The biggest example of how a series of injuries can destroy a player is legendary Dutch striker Marco van Basten who had to retire at the age of just 30 after a series of cruel layoffs. Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez is no Van Basten, but he could have been a regular starter for the English national team by now if not for his poor luck with consistent injuries. You have to feel sorry for the 27-year-old who is right now on the fringes at St. Mary’s after two terrible years.
The striker, who had been linked with big-money moves to Premier League giants two years back, is now linked with loan moves to clubs like Burnley, Hull City and West Brom. According to the Birmingham Mail, Hull City are looking like his potential destination at least for another year. The English international missed the whole of the 2014-15 season and had just 603 minutes of game time last season. So, we can hardly blame new Southampton boss Claude Puel for willing to let the versatile forward move on a season-loan in order to get game time and get back his fitness.
The 27-year-old is a technically gifted striker who can play anywhere across the attacking third. His best season in his career was the 2013-14 campaign where he notched up 17 goals and created three for his teammates from 39 games in all competitions. He had mostly featured on the left flank that campaign with Rickie Lambert playing as the centre-forward.
Rodriguez earned his first call senior cap for England thanks to his brilliant showing in the Premier League and looked like a player who will be gracing the Three Lions’ jersey for plenty of years to come. The 27-year-old’s career went backwards after two injury-troubles years but he can still make it up. Just aged 27, Rodriguez is just entering the peak years of his career and now needs a club where he will get regular game time and Hull can offer him that.
Despite Hull City’s strong start in the Premier League, it is as clear as daylight that the Tigers are short of quality in their side. Abel Hernandez and Adama Diomande have done more than a decent job so far but Rodriguez, with his proven Premier League experience, can be a solid addition to Mike Phelan’s side.
A player who can play as the focal point of attack as well as on either flank, Rodriguez will be a wise addition to Hull City who are in a dire need to reinforce their squad. It will be a deal that makes sense for all parties concerned.
