Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou made to regret decision as Joe Rodon shines on loan for Leeds United
It seems as if Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou could use on-loan defender Joe Rodon at this moment in time.
Spurs are short of defensive options at the moment with Micky van de Ven sidelined with a long-term injury.
Eric Dier is clearly not in Postecoglou’s plans, and the Australian has been forced to utilise left-back Ben Davies as a makeshift centre-back alongside Cristian Romero, who always seems to be one tackle away from a suspension.
Wales international Davies has filled in well for Van de Ven, although Postecoglou could certainly benefit from having more options at his disposal, and might now regret letting go of Davies’ international teammate in the summer.
Joe Rodon was allowed to leave Hotspur Way on loan, joining up with Championship side Leeds United for the duration of the 2023/24 campaign, and will certainly have made Postecoglou think twice about his decision to sanction the 26-year-old’s exit with his recent performances.
Leeds currently sit in the Championship’s play-off places in fourth position with a nine-point advantage over Hull City who occupy seventh spot, and a big reason they find themselves in this position is due to the performances of Rodon at the back.
Rodon has started 20 of the Whites’ 24 league fixtures this season and was particularly impressive during their 4-0 rout of high-flying Ipswich Town on December 23.
Kieran Mckenna’s side have been the surprise package in England’s second tier this season, currently sitting in second place after being promoted from League One last year, but were beaten convincingly by Daniel Farke’s men at Elland Road, with Rodon’s performance throughout the match being described as “outstanding”.
Former Ipswich striker Alex Mathie told BBC Sport (23 December), “It’s not been Ipswich’s day today. Joe Rodon has been outstanding at the back [for Leeds]. He looks like a Premier League defender.”
It is hard to disagree with Mathie.
As per Sofascore, Rodon made five clearances, four interceptions and one tackle, while he also won 100 per cent of his duels, one on the ground and two in the air. However, it is his performance on the ball which will have Postecoglou really kicking himself, with the former Swansea man completing 91 per cent of his passes and playing one accurate long ball forward.
While Leeds struggled in their most recent game, losing 2-1 at Preston North End on 26 December, it is hard to place much of the blame for the defeat on the shoulders of Rodon.
The central defender made four clearances, blocked one shot, made one tackle and one interception, while also winning 100 per cent of his duels on the ground (four out of four). In addition, he won three of his five aerial duels and completed 86 per cent of his passes, while playing three accurate long balls forward.
With the injuries and suspensions piling up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Postecoglou would have likely been watching Rodon’s performances over the festive period with a clenched fist and a lot of regret.
In other Tottenham news, one pundit believes a “fantastic” player at the club “deserves a lot better.”