Daniel Farke shares ‘important’ January update on Tottenham loanee Joe Rodon after ‘brilliant’ Leeds United impact
On-loan Tottenham defender “will stay” at Leeds United past January amid after a question on the potential for a recall, Daniel Farke has confirmed.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay shared the Whites boss’ update via Twitter from his pre-match press conference on 9 November, where the German emphasised it is “important that we have that stability” with the Welshman available throughout the rest of the campaign.
Rodon, 26, has established himself as a regular starter since his summer arrival at Elland Road, with Farke admitting “he’s been brilliant so far”.
Crucial
Rodon became a regular starter following a late substitute appearance in the Championship opener, until he was harshly sent off for an unfortunate pair of bookings at Hull City on 20 September.
With the Whites producing an excellent performance in the subsequent win over Watford during his suspension Farke stuck with the same XI for the trip to Southampton and was burned to the tune of a 3-1 loss.
Rodon came back in at the expense of Liam Cooper after that and hasn’t been out of the starting line up since, highlighting his importance to the side.
Having perhaps gone under the radar thanks to the eye-catching performances of attacking stars Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, and even midfield new arrivals Glen Kamara and Ethan Ampadu, Rodon influence may have been overlooked but he has a claim to be the best signing of the summer.
A back line that has been chaotic at the best of times in recent seasons looks solid more often than not this term, albeit in a lower league, and the Spurs man is a major part of that.
With the danger of losing him midseason apparently ruled out there are bound to be increasing calls over the rest of the campaign for Leeds United to sign him permanently in the summer.
Farke revealed hernia surgery for Pascal Struijk will rule him out of the visit of Plymouth Argyle this week, so the impressive partnership the Dutchman has built up with Rodon is set to be broken up and it will be instructive to see how the loanee adapts, most likely to Cooper stepping in.
In other Leeds United news, an “odd” 49ers verdict has been issued ahead of the possible exit of a big-money first-team ace in January.