Joe Rodon rock-solid for Wales as Leeds United star overcomes injury worry
Leeds United star Joe Rodon was impregnable at the back for Wales against Turkey on Saturday despite a “horrible” incident in the first half.
Rodon and Karl Darlow were able to keep a clean sheet as the Dragons drew 0-0 in Kayseri, with Turkey missing an injury-time penalty in the UEFA Nations League.
A first-half clash of heads with Mark Harris left the 27-year-old down on the deck and requiring treatment, but bandaged up and back on his feet, Rodon saw out the full 90 minutes.
“Oh that’s horrible, that is horrible, they both went up, and Rodon caught Harris on the side of his head,” BBC commentator Rob Phillips said.
While Wales did get away with Turkey’s VAR-awarded penalty at the death, Rodon was otherwise solid at the back and is now well-placed to earn his 50th international cap against Iceland on 19 November.
Joe Rodon carries Leeds United form onto international stage
Playing the full 90 minutes despite his injury scare midway through the first half, Rodon repelled everything that was thrown at him by the hosts, putting in 11 defensive actions in total [FotMob].
The nature of the match – which often saw the Dragons defend with their backs to the wall – resulted in seven of these actions from Rodon being clearances, four of which were headers away from danger.
Rodon attempted two tackles and came away with a 100 per cent success rate, while also making three ball recoveries and not being dispossessed or dribbled past on a single occasion.
Ever-present at Elland Road so far this season – albeit one booking away from a suspension – Rodon wasn’t afraid to put his foot in, winning three of his four ground duels (75 per cent – FotMob).
Another booking did come Rodon’s way late on, but that was for protesting the decision to award Turkey a late penalty rather than following an error.
On the ball, Rodon completed 82 per cent of his 38 attempted passes [SofaScore], finding his target with one of two long balls, albeit defensive duties were the number one priority for Wales in this game.
That will also be the case for Rodon once he returns to Thorp Arch, likely as an international half-centurion, but as a player, Daniel Farke will be continually reliant on this season.
In other Leeds news, Graham Smyth has identified what the club’s new-look recruitment team have to get right in January.
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