Sheffield Wednesday: Young Barcelona striker Rodri opts for Owls to make his name

Dave Jones admits to being like a dog with a bone when he heard there was the prospect of signing a Barcelona player.

The name Rodrigo Rios Lozano – or Rodri as he will be known – may not be one that has lit up the Nou Camp like Lionel Messi, David Villa or Andres Iniesta.

But if a player has come through that famous Barca system there must be something there to work with, or so Jones hopes after signing the 22-year-old Barcelona B striker on a season-long loan.

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Rodri watched Sheffield Wednesday draw with Derby on Saturday and after agreeing yesterday to continue developing his career at Hillsborough, is in the frame to feature tonight for the visit of Birmingham City.

“In the early part of pre-season we were talking with agents and tongue-in-cheek more than anything his name cropped up,” said Jones of the former Spanish Under-21 striker.

“So we took a punt, we thought we’d get our faces slapped, but we didn’t.

“We didn’t think we’d get him, we didn’t think Barcelona would let him out but they wanted him to have games.

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“We became a dog with a bone and started chasing him, and we’ll be doing that a lot.

“He thinks he should be in Barca’s first team. He felt he’d done a year in Barcalona B, which is our level anyway. So full credit to him, he wants to play.”

Rodri began life at Sevilla B, scoring 28 goals in 54 appearances before graduating to the first team whom he respresented just twice.

Barcelona picked him up and dropped him straight into their B team, where he played 35 games last season, scoring eight goals.

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Whether he can repeat his goalscoring form for Wednesday is dependent, Jones believes, on how quickly he settles in Sheffield.

“It’s a season-long loan with a view to something more, which is more to see whether he settles down, whether he likes the club, the style of play and the English style,” said Jones.

“But I’m really looking forward to seeing him play.

“Barcelona don’t pay money for players if they don’t feel they’ve got something.

“He’s quick, he’s sharp, and a very clever player. He’s not 6ft 2in but he compliments what we have here already.

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“He seems to be up to full speed but it can take a while for a player to settle with all the external issues about bank accounts, housing, the language barrier etcetera.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve paid £5 or £50m.”

Jones wants to bring in four more players before the end of the transfer window on Friday week with former loan player Nile Ranger and Everton’s 18-year-old midfielder Ross Barklay among those he is said to be tracking.

The Owls manager is not one to broadcast who he is chasing, saying only that if he considers them to be quality players then he will have a natural interest in them.

Danny Mayor, from Preston, and Rhys McCabe, from Rangers, were young men drafted in recently as players to help shape the long-term future of the club as well as make an impact this season.

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“Danny is a young player who will stand the club in good stead,” said Jones of the 21-year-old who signed a three-year deal last weekend. “He can play either wing and he’s got experience of having played 30 to 40 Championship games.

“Rhys felt that rather than sign for a Premier League club, play in their reserves and then probably get loaned out, he thought he’d come to a club like ourselves and fight for his place.

“When Rhys and Rodri saw the the stadium it’s a good attraction for them, and we’re trying to unravel 15 years of hurt here.

“We feel we’re still four players short, and we’re still chasing.

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“We have got a lot of things ongoing, like a lot of clubs have.

“Once the Premier League clubs name their 25-man squads then hopefully we’ll get the players in before the end of the window.”

Anthony Gardner is a fitness doubt for tonight’s game as he nurses a hamstring injury with Jones unlikely to rush him back in as he attempts to rotate his players as often as possible during a hectic early schedule of six games in the first three weeks.

“Rotation of players is very important at this stage,” said the Owls manager.

Last six games: Sheffield Wednesday DWWWWD; Birmingham DWLDWD.

Referee: G Eltringham (Durham).

Last time: Sheffield Wednesday 1 Birmingham City 1; January 31, 2009; Championship.

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