Jon Dahl Tomasson has heaped praise on Sam Szmodics for becoming a leader at Blackburn Rovers.

The midfielder has started the season in fantastic form, scoring nine goals and registering two assists. That has him level at the top of the Championship scoring charts, with all his goals coming from open play.

It's been a remarkable rise in 2023 for Szmodics. He started the year out of the side and is now one of the first names on team sheet. He was included in Tomasson's leadership group in the summer and is now third in line for the captaincy, leading the team in Dom Hyam's absence and with Lewis Travis on the bench.

His versatility has been key for Rovers as they juggle injuries too. He has played in his preferred number eight role but also as a false nine. Regardless of where he's lined up, it hasn't impacted the flow of goals.

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Tomasson is delighted with the goals that he's added to his overall impressive play. He wants to keep pushing the forward and is delighted with his impact.

"I think Sam's development has been very good," Tomasson said. "We know he can score goals and we know he can play with few touches.

"He always works for the team extremely hard. In the end, you want a result which would be goals and he is scoring a lot of them.

"I am always trying to push Sammie, he's a great lad and good for the dressing room. There is always a great spirit around Sammie."

"I don't know if it helps him but he deserves it," Tomasson added on whether Szmodics is embracing the armband. "He is a senior player, the oldest player I have is 28 and he is one of them. 

"He is performing like a senior and that is nice to see."

Szmodics' rise to prominence has been a great story. It's one that highlights the importance of patience when it comes to new signings.

The 28-year-old was out of the team and even playing with the Under-21s around Christmas last year. Instead of sulking, he got his head down, worked hard, and adapted to new demands from the Rovers head coach.

"He's playing with confidence," Tomasson said. "In the beginning, when he came to a club, it was a new manager, a new way of playing.

"It takes time. I remember putting him the 21s against West Ham in London in the first half of the year. After that, he became better and better.

"He ended last season really well and he's started this season on fire. We played some great stuff, we stuck to our principles and played one, two two-touch. We controlled the space, we were front-footed.

"We defended with high intensity and that made it difficult for them. We did really well."