The midfielder, who was signed by the Magpies in 2020 from Den Bosch, left to sign with Oxford United in the summer.
- Rodrigues returned to Wembley with Oxford United, shining under the arch, showcasing his talent to a wider audience once again.
- His crucial involvement in goals at Wembley highlights the success of Notts County’s transfer strategy, suggesting they should revisit tapping into the foreign market.
- The Danish owners of Notts County have shown excellent judgment in transfers, with hidden gems like Rodrigues providing significant contributions on the field.
A little more than a year after Notts County defeated Chesterfield in the play-off final, former midfield player Ruben Rodrigues made a return trip to Wembley.
This time, the Portuguese player went to the nation’s capital accompanied by Oxford United in the hopes of fulfilling the promise made to him by the team when he arrived from Meadow Lane last summer.
The 27-year-old would once again take centre stage under the Wembley arch, having provided a pivotal moment 368 days earlier when his bouncing effort looped over Ross Fitzsimons in extra time to send the National League play-off final to penalties.
Ruben Rodrigues shines at Wembley once again
Bolton Wanderers were the overwhelming favourites going into the match to end their three-year League One tenure, but Des Buckingham’s team entered the home of football with confidence after only one loss in their previous eight league games.
And that momentum from the end of the season proved to be vital in the match, as Josh Murphy opened the score with a beautifully curled finish after Rodrigues found him.
Shortly before the half, Oxford’s number 20 doubled the lead for the U’s. This time, he plucked the ball out of the air and fired an inch-perfect ball into Murphy’s path. Murphy then rounded Nathan Baxter to send the supporters at the other end of the stadium into complete delirium.
With the clock ticking down, Rodrigues was replaced by Josh McEachran to a standing ovation from his adoring new set of fans.
After arriving on these shores as an unknown midfielder from the Netherlands, the former “Portuguese magnifico” of the Magpies has gone from the National League to the second tier of English football, marking yet another incredible accomplishment.
Ruben Rodrigues’ career is proof Notts County should revisit transfer strategy
It’s safe to say that most of Alexander and Christoffer Reedtz’s transfers since they joined the team have been flawlessly executed.
The Danish brothers made sure that players and staff were paid before going into the transfer market to bolster the squad, with Rodrigues being one of the first to arrive at Meadow Lane during their ownership. This was because of the financial difficulties the club was facing when they arrived in 2019.
When the club made its first international market entry since their takeover, the 24-year-old, who was from Den Bosch in the Netherlands, was largely unknown.
In his second season at the club, supporters got to see a glimpse of the Portuguese midfielder, who had a difficult time playing in front of no fans during the early part of his career. He put on some excellent individual performances during this time.
As Notts earned promotion at Wembley, Rodrigues would go on to excel, saving his best season for last. He left the club in the summer on a free transfer, much to the dismay of many.
The midfielder’s recent success with Oxford has highlighted the transfer approach that initially brought him to England; given that the Magpies have once more entered the international market this year, this is something they ought to pursue going forward.
Similar to Rodrigues, Alassana Jatta arrived from Viborg in January and was unfamiliar to the Notts fans. However, the Gambian has won over the fans with five goals in ten games, raising the question of why the Danish brothers’ connections to foreign players have not been used more.
You can only have a certain number of foreign players in your squad, of course, but Notts can bring one more into the fold in the summer transfer window.
And considering how well Rodrigues has performed for Oxford United and in the black and white of Notts County, it might be worthwhile to go back to that international market in an effort to find a possible hidden gem.
