Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa insists he needs to thank record signing Rodrigo, rather than apologise to the forward, after substituting his substitute for the second time this season.
Rodrigo, a £26million summer arrival from Valencia, replaced Patrick Bamford during the first half of Saturday's goalless draw with Chelsea before being brought off 11 minutes from time.
It comes after he faced similar ignominy against Sheffield United in September, when he was brought off in stoppage time having come on as a half-time replacement.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel risked backlash when he did the same to Callum Hudson-Odoi recently but Bielsa justified his decision, claiming the forward's recent groin injury means he is still short of match fitness.