Alejandro Rodriguez: England's Answer To Sergio Aguero

WHO IS ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ?

Alejandro Rodriguez. One of the hottest English prospects overseas at the minute. The baller who left Hampshire to pursue a European dream. It all began at Eastleigh FC. Where Alejandro netted 334 goals in 136 games in the Eastleigh academy. And of course, the big clubs coming knocking was imminent. Eventually, Southampton would take him and this is where he took things to the next level.

Alejandro is a right footed striker with a sensational ability to score goals. Some key strengths he possesses is his finishing, speed and physical strength. He is a striker who can also play on the wing. Alejandro was a winger when he was 15 for Southampton's U21s but felt wasted as a winger despite picking up 9 assists in 10 games! His killer instincts inside the box are a coaches dream and his off the ball movements are what helps him score so many goals. A fun fact about Rodriguez is that he could represent three different nations and he's already represented them all at youth level. England, Venezuela and Portugal. He has represented Portugal at U15 level, Venezuela at U17 and England at U15,U16 and U17 level.

SOUTHAMPTON STEPPING STONE

With Alejandro absolutely ripping apart every team in sight at Eastleigh, it would be the South Coast giants Southampton who would go on and get Alejandro tied down. Alejandro scored his first goal for their U21 side in the PL2 against Tottenham Hotspur where his volley attempt would fly past Aaron Maguire ensuring huge moment for him. He was only 15 at the time. He was a part of a spectacular Saints squad including Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Man City maestro Harrison Miles, Jayden Meghoma and Cam Bragg. He would go on to bag 9 assists in 10 games. Occasionally playing striker but primarily on the right wing. After signing in 2022, Alejandro rejected a new deal from Southampton and his head was immediately turned at Olympique Lyon's Youth Football Project. He's now one of England's talented players abroad.

A beautiful team goal 😍

Alejandro Rodriguez scored England's opener in their 1-1 draw against Belgium in the #U17EURO 💪 pic.twitter.com/sMoLw2fTL5

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 20, 2025

ALEJANDRO FOR ENGLAND

Above is Alejandro's lethal finish in our U17 Euro opener vs Belgium. Rodriguez has been representing England since U15 level and it's fair to say he's already left his mark. He has won the Football Federations Cup and the Pinatar Cup with England U16s. And he won MOTM in the FFC vs South Korea. Although, England hadn't seen anything yet. When he was called up England U17s fixtures before they went for Euro qualification, Alejandro was absolutely going off. England defeated The Netherlands in a friendly and won 4-0 and Alejandro scored two and put on a very impressive display. Then England went for the second phase of U17 Euro qualification vs Israel, Slovenia and Northern Ireland. Alejandro scored 3 goals in 3 games including a late winner vs Slovenia after scoring a brace vs Israel prior. Then it was crunch time, the U17 Euros. And this is where he began to attract the world towards him. He went on to score in all 3 games for England scoring 4 goals and finishing as England's top scorer and finishing runner up in the U17 Euro Top scorers. He scored 1 vs Belgium, 2 vs Italy and 1 vs Czech Republic. Despite getting grouped, it's some feat finishing second top scorer behind Italy's and Borussia Dortmund star Samuele Inacio. With a impressive U17 Euros we can most likely expect an U18 or even U19 England call up for Alejandro.

A NEW CHALLENGE ABROAD

Alejandro joined Lyon in 2024 following the expiration of his Southampton contract and the fact that he didn't sign a new deal with Southampton. He was set to join the French club after hearing about their impressive Youth Football Project. Rodriguez told Lyon 'I want to be a striker and I want to score goals'. He joined up with Lyon's U19s in the France U19 National League. With his first goal being a penalty vs Bobigny U19s in a 3-2 win. Then in a successful campaign scoring 13 goals in 22 games, Rodriguez then rose to the U21 challenge, where he had stepped foot previously in England. His first goals for the U21s came against Espaly where he bagged 2 in a 2-0 win and began to score more goals vs Hauts Lyonnais and Chassieu Decines. And became an established member of the U21 team where he would travel back to England with LYON II to play in the Premier League International Cup playing against Sunderland, Blackburn, Middlesborough, West Ham, Valencia B, Fulham and Nottingham Forest. After doing all of this for OL II, Paulo Fonseca began to notice him and decided his time was now and that he'd travel with the men's team. In Ligue 1, he travelled with the men's team to face Saint-Etienne and Auxerre. But then he was called up to the squad to face Manchester United in the Europa League. He then made his men's team official debut vs Lens. A moment he'll never forget.

WHAT'S THE CURRENT STORY WITH ALEJANDRO?

Now in the summer of 2025, a breakthrough has took place. Over pre season so far, Alejandro has established himself as a men's team player. He's played in 4 out of 5 of Lyon's friendlies, against RWDM Brussels, HSV, Mallorca and Bayern Munich. With him putting on respectable performances his moment came, a dream for many. Alejandro scored in a 2-1 defeat against Bayern in a dream come true moment. His 83rd minute strike was a moment that made his move to OL worth it. Truly Unforgettable. Playing alongside people he has looked up to (Alexandre Lacazette) and playing against Europe's best (Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, Luis Diaz and many more). Below is his goal vs Bayern.

Le but d'Alejandro #Gomes face au Bayern, bien servi par Khalis #Merah ! pic.twitter.com/vQID2kUMg5

— Lyon Fédération (@LyonFederation) August 2, 2025

Alejandro has the world at his feet at the minute and the 25/26 season could be outrageous for him. With England U17s not being a test anymore, I believe he needs an U18 call up. In terms of Lyon, I think plenty of men's team minutes are coming with occasional U21 minutes he's going to be phenomenal. REMEMBER THE NAME!