Joe Rodon shares what he’s noticed about Joe Rothwell in his first few days of Leeds United training

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Joe Rodon, Alex Cairns and Joe Rothwell are Leeds United’s only three summer signings so far.

Thought is a slight improvement on the one addition they had made this time last year, it certainly has been a slower start to the window than expected, in terms of incomings.

In truth, Rothwell is the only one of Leeds‘ three new faces who will be providing the squad with something different next season.

Rodon, who could well end up being the signing of the summer anyway regardless of who is brought in, was already here on loan last season.

Cairns, meanwhile, has come in as Leeds’ new third choice goalkeeper after Kristoffer Klaesson’s exit and so is unlikely to play any football at all.

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Rodon shares what he’s noticed about Rothwell already

Rothwell is expected to add a new dimension to Leeds’ midfield thanks to both his ball-carrying ability and eye for goal.

Not one of Leeds’ midfielders managed to find the net during the regular Championship season last term, two of which have already departed in Glen Kamara and Archie Gray.

While Rothwell may not be the marquee addition Leeds fans were hoping for, he is certainly a solid piece of business. It has also been confirmed by Graham Smyth he will not be Kamara’s replacement.

With that in mind, Leeds fans should not be looking through the lens of Rothwell being a cheap loan option to fill the void left by Kamara, and an interview with BBC Radio Leeds by Rodon should also offer more hope as to what he can offer.

Rodon says it has not taken Rothwell long to show he is a ‘top player’ at Thorp Arch, and already believes he has raised the level on the training pitch from the rest of the squad.

He said: “Joe settled in very nicely, you can tell he’s a top player. He lifts the level in training, everyone can see that, and I’m sure he’ll be a great addition to the squad. He has only been here a few days.

“I think he adds that extra thrust in midfield, a player who can go both ways, very good in build-up and gets the team playing. That’s what we want to do, we want to keep possession and dominate the ball so Joe will be a great addition to that.”

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Rodon comments echo what Southampton expert said on Rothwell

Upon his arrival, LeedsUnited.News spoke exclusively to Southampton FC News writer Fraser Spinney about what he could offer.

Like Rodon, Spinney earmarked his ability to carry the ball from deep as one of his biggest assets, something which Leeds perhaps missed last season.

Kamara was excellent with the ball at his feet, and always found himself getting out of tight spaces, but would never really carry it for long periods.

If Leeds can find a really good passer of the ball in that number eight position to complement, the balance of the midfield all of a sudden looks much better than last season.