Tottenham in no position to give up on Joe Rodon as Leeds United permanent transfer verdict emerges for January
Joe Rodon has been in the form of his life since signing on loan for Leeds United from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer and it is reported that the Whites want to make the deal permanent.
Signed from Swansea City in 2020, Rodon failed to make the desired impact at Spurs and was often used as a scapegoat by then-manager Antonio Conte.
However, since making the switch to West Yorkshire, he has proved himself to be a reliable centre-back when coached by the right manager. Understandably, both clubs now want to keep him permanently, according to Alasdair Gold.
Speaking on the Gold and Guest Talk Tottenham Podcast, football.london journalist Gold said: “I think for Joe Rodon, if I’m Joe Rodon I wouldn’t even want to go back to Spurs anyway. He’s been smashing it at Leeds and I’ve no doubt they want to keep him.
“I wouldn’t be shocked in January if they tried to set up a deal to sign him permanently whether that’s at the end of the season or something, he’s just been phenomenal for them.”
Rodon has never managed to settle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, his form since departing on loan is every proof of evidence that he deserves another chance.
His current form, alongside Spurs’ ongoing injury crisis, will give Spurs as much reason to keep the Welshman as any. Cristian Romero’s suspension and injuries to Micky van de Ven and Ashley Phillips show the club’s in no position to give up on Rodon as early as January. An impressive 91 per cent pass rate success is key to Ange Postecoglou’s playing style, and to do it in the Championship makes it all the more impressive.
The 26-year-old has been a rock in Leeds’ defensive line, winning 93 per cent of his tackles while keeping five clean sheets, the most impressive coming against Leicester City last month.
Only dipping below a 6.5 rating on three occasions out of 14 starts, Rodon is as reliable as he is strong, making 61 clearances, 40 of which with his head. His 19 interceptions also speak for his good decision-making, with zero errors leading to goals [FotMob].
Despite no goal involvements for Leeds yet, Rodon’s impact in the air has an impact at both ends of the pitch, posing a dangerous threat from setpieces.
Rodon is a brilliant talent, one that Leeds and Spurs will continue to fight over the signature for. Once Micky van de Ven returns from injury, him and Cristian Romero will likely push Rodon to a bench position.
With that in mind, the defender may find it better for his career to stay at Elland Road for the foreseeable future. But the club will have the final say when the current loan deal ends in May.
In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou has an ideal Harry Kane replacement under his nose, the player could save the club millions.