Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has described one of his star players as “my warrior” after another impressive performance in the win over Chelsea.
Daniel Farke inspired a rousing response from his Leeds side as they stormed to an emphatic win against Premier League title contenders Chelsea.
The Leeds side was stacked with impressive performers, as Ao Tanaka took the headlines with his first top-flight goal in England with a brilliant long-range strike.
Joe Rodon broke a Leeds record in the win over Chelsea, becoming the first Leeds player since Norman Hunter to register 100 consecutive league and play-off appearances.
After earning praise from former Leeds defender Aidy White, Rodon has now been hailed by the Leeds manager, who described the centre-back as his “warrior”.
Where does Joe Rodon rank in the list of Leeds’ best-ever signings? 🤔
Daniel Farke praises Leeds United ‘warrior’ Joe Rodon
Speaking in his weekly press conference ahead of Leeds’ game against Liverpool, Farke spoke about Rodon in glowing terms.
According to Farke, Rodon has more than lived up to his price tag at Elland Road, after Leeds invested £10 million to bring him to West Yorkshire after failing to claim promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking.
Asked about Rodon’s record-breaking run, Farke said: “He’s my warrior and also a key player for us, and he always has an unbelievable attitude. It says a lot about him, especially nowadays, to play one hundred games in a row is amazing on this level.
“You can only achieve this if you are a super professional in all aspects. You look after your body, you look after your recovery, after good nutrition, good sleep, and in these terms, Joe is a role model. He’s always motivated, always there, and still improving as a player.
Daniel Farke had some worries over Ao Tanaka – do you think he needs to be rested against Liverpool?🤔
“There were also a few doubts about him when we signed him, and we spent hours on it. A proper amount of money for a signing in the Championship.
“But we were 100 per cent convinced that he would also play an integral part in the Premier League, and this is what he’s proving right now.”
When could Joe Rodon break Norman Hunter’s record run of Leeds United appearances?
Despite having played 100 consecutive league and play-off games for Leeds, Rodon remains 13 games short of the run that Hunter achieved between 1962 and 1965.
Rodon is almost certain to take his place in the Leeds side to take on Liverpool and continue his run, having looked so assured in the win over Chelsea.
If Leeds’ talismanic defender can remain fit, he could pass Hunter in the current Premier League season with 24 games left to play.
Assuming that Rodon does not pick up an unexpected injury or suspension, he would equal Hunter’s record in the trip to Villa Park on 21st February, and could take the record outright at Elland Road against Manchester City the following week.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
