Daniel Farke told he has a Leeds United player who’s genuinely ‘captain material’

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In order for Leeds United to avoid relegation next season, they will need a mixture of quality, experience, and leadership.

After the likes of Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Adam Forshaw, and Stuart Dallas left the club or retired in recent years, Leeds United have had to form a new leadership group.

Ethan Ampadu was announced as the captain last summer, with Pascal Struijk and Illan Meslier the vice-captains. All of them are aged 25 and under as Daniel Farke brings through a new generation at Leeds.

They are not the only leadership figures in the squad, with Patrick Bamford having also worn the armband in years gone by and the likes of Sam Byram and Junior Firpo also bringing vast experience to the dressing room.

Farke has a core to build around next season for Leeds, including Joe Rodon, with the centre-back’s impressive season continuing already.

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Joe Rodon praise emerges from BBC Sport pundit Dave Edwards

Another player who has been earmarked as having the intangibles as a leader for both club and country is Rodon. Last night was his 50th start for Wales in his 53rd appearance.

He has become vital to his national team over the last seven years. His know-how is incredibly important for Wales and his quality is undeniable for Leeds, with Eddie Gray believing Rodon would start for Spurs.

Tom Lockyer and Dave Edwards reacted to the 27-year-old scoring his first goal for his country in the 3-0 win over Liechtenstein for the BBC.

Lockyer: “He will be absolutely buzzing with that. To get 50 caps (starts) and then to top it off with a bullet header like that. Honestly, that’s what he’s been dreaming of.

Dave Edwards: “It is a special moment and he’s a leader. That’s what this Wales team does have.

“They have a lot of leaders in the group and that’s important. Centre-back is an area we’re blessed with. We’ve got Chris Mepham, Ben Cabango, Ben Davies we can play in there.

“So we are really lucky in that position. Ethan Ampadu can obviously do a job as well. But I feel like he [Rodon] has made himself that main centre-back for Wales with his performances.

“He’s already on 50 appearances and he’s another one who could be captain material. He does it at Leeds. And that’s what Craig Bellamy will want — leaders out there. I think Joe Rodon epitomises that.”

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Joe Rodon could become a legend with Leeds

Rodon ‘just gets it’ at Leeds and that is becoming far more apparent by the game, with Larry Nance praising Rodon’s leadership previously, too.

He has already played more games for Leeds than any other side and could become a mainstay for many years in West Yorkshire.

With Meslier likely to depart, it would not be at all surprising for Rodon to be Leeds’ third-choice captain next season. At 27, he should have his best years ahead of him as well.

Rodon has the potential to be more than a cult hero but a club icon if he stays with the club long enough. The imperious central defender, crucially, appears to be settled and happy at Leeds.