Joe Rodon has been one of Leeds United’s best players this season as the on-loan Tottenham star continues to shine in the middle of the defence – but Graham Smyth thinks he’s actually underrated.
The 26-year-old clocked up his 37th appearance of the season for Leeds on Tuesday night, starting and finishing every game since the 3-1 loss to Southampton – other than one, the 4-1 win over Huddersfield.
That is 31 games in a row. Centre-back partners have changed for Rodon over the season, in the likes of Pascal Struijk, Liam Cooper and now Ethan Ampadu. But Rodon is the one constant, improving so much.
Leeds will be desperate to keep hold of Rodon beyond his loan spell but he could cost £20m, and it is likely to depend on promotion. The Wales star has already said he’d like to play for Leeds in the top tier.
Following Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Stoke, in which leeds clocked up a tenth league win in 11 – and an eight clean sheet in that run – Smyth wrote on the YEP’s website that actually, Rodon is underrated.
“Against Stoke he was at his best. The pass he plays down the right to his winger is also satisfyingly crisp and he’s improved at that over the season. It’s Pascal Struijk-esque now,” Smyth wrote on YEP.
“His leadership is under-rated too. In so many moments he gets Leeds to calm down in possession, to start again from the back as Farke wants them to,” the Evening Post reporter continued, in his summary.
Graham Smyth says Leeds star Joe Rodon is actually underrated
Rodon is starring for Leeds and it would be fair to say he is the best central defender in the League, at this moment in time. He continues to lead the back line, as Leeds push for promotion to the top tier.
Leeds have the best defence in the entire division, conceding only 28 goals and Rodon is a massive reason for that. Stoke had their chances last night but it would have been worse without Rodon.
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