Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Thu 23 April 2026 14:10, UK

Joe Rodon has been one of Leeds United‘s most important players in recent seasons but that may be changing.

They say you should never fall in love with loan signings but Leeds fans did just that following his short-term switch from Tottenham in 2023.

Leeds made the move permanent the following summer as they tried to get out of the Championship at the second time of asking.

Rodon achieved that goal and earned the tag of Leeds’ hardman as he started more than 100 games in a row for the club.

While the defender is only just returning from injury, it could be argued that Rodon’s impact at Leeds is on the wane and that if they want to kick on, extra quality at the back is needed this summer.

Is Joe Rodon the weak link in Leeds’ defence?

In the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, Jayden Bogle struggled at right wing-back as the Cherries had a lot of joy down the left.

Rodon replaced him at half time but didn’t fare much better. While he was one for one on tackles, made five clearances, and won three of his five aerial duels, the Welshman looked a bit off the pace.

Against Bournemouth, Rodon looked more vulnerable than centre-back team-mates Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk.

While some of that may be down to rustiness after an ankle issue, the 28-year-old lost the ball nine times, his deflection took the ball away from Karl Darlow for Bournemouth’s opener, and he didn’t close down Rayan for their second.

His pace was such an invaluable asset in the Championship as he repeatedly chased down the opposition with some great recovery work. Rodon hasn’t been able to do that as much this term and some of his performances have come under question.

He still has a future at Leeds but his place in the starting XI going forward could be up for debate. Indeed, Ethan Ampadu, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Karl Darlow and Struijk may be ahead of him when it comes to the first names on the team sheet.

Ahead of facing Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals, there is an argument to start Bogle at wing-back and James Justin at right centre-back. If that happens, maybe a changing of the guard is coming.

Leeds’ Premier League survival all but secured?

After a comeback draw against Bournemouth, Leeds fans are well and truly believing that they can stay up this season.

The result took them nine points clear of the relegation zone, although Tottenham do have a game in hand, which is against already-relegated Wolves.

But Leeds’ odds of dropping into the Championship look very slim, according to Opta Analyst’s supercomputer.

The supercomputer predicts that the last relegation spot will be fought out between Tottenham and West Ham, who are two points clear of Spurs.

Leeds face both of them in their final fixtures, including 19th-placed Burnley. Farke hasn’t said it yet, but it seems the Whites will be in this division next term.