While this is not a Leeds United squad lacking in experience, only three of Daniel Farke’s semi-regular starters can see their 30th birthday disappearing into the rearview mirror.
Karl Darlow, the 34-year-old goalkeeper who’s calm, commanding presence helped ease the nerves which threatened to undo all of Leeds United’s hard work. Daniel Farke replaced Illan Meslier with Darlow after one mistake too many from the flapping Frenchman, and what an inspired decision that turned out to be.
Sam Byram and Joe Rothwell are the only other players aged 30 and over to have started a Championship game this season, with Joshua Guilavogui [34] and Patrick Bamford [31] featuring solely off the substitute’s bench.
But with Larry Nance Jr watching on in awe as a ‘sensational’ Joe Rodon inspired Leeds to victory over Oxford last week – the penultimate triumph of their successful promotion charge – the Atlanta Hawks star and 49ers investor could have been forgiven for assuming Farke’s central defensive colossus was one of the elder statesman of the squad.
Leeds United’s Joe Rodon reminds Larry Nance Jr of himself
In a sense, he is. At 27, Joe Rodon is ever-so-slightly older than most of Leeds’ star players.
But, with Nance Jr viewing the Wales international as an ’emotional leader’ and the load-bearing pillar of a potentially title-winning side, that Rodon is actually a similar age to most of his peers may take NBA star by surprise.
Speaking just days after Leeds slapped Stoke City to secure their Premier League return, Nance Jr admits that he sees a bit of himself in a footballer half a decade his junior.
And that – Rodon very much a veteran’s head on a relatively young man’s shoulders – speaks volumes about the towering presence he brings both and off the pitch in West Yorkshire.
“We have a young team in Atlanta,” Nance Jr explains. “I am 32 years old and a lot of my teammates were born in ’05. It makes me feel like an absolute senior citizen here!
“But I kind of find myself barking orders defensively and leading our defensive line. More of a defensive leader of sorts. So, I kind of gravitate towards the role Joe Rodon plays for us.
“I think he’s been an emotional leader for us. Its been obviously very prevalent over the last few weeks but something I find in myself as well.”
Michael Bridges labels Rodon Leeds’ ‘standout’ performer
While there are no awards handed out for the most ‘complete’ performance from a Championship player, Rodon’s supreme display in that narrow win at the Kassam Stadium is up there with the best produced by anyone in England’s second-tier.
Not only did Rodon light the fuse for Manor Solomon’s first-half winner with a delightful line-breaking pass, he also headed, volleyed and blocked everything which came within his postcode during a stellar rearguard act.
Aan iconic Leeds skipper and one of the finest defenders in the club’s modern history, Dominic Matteo is well-placed to explain Rodon’s importance to those more attracted by the twinkling feet of Solomon and co.
“Joe [has] really stepped up. Really has, really impressed. He’s been so good,” Matteo said after he once again justified the £10 million fee forked out to Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
“Sometimes, he goes under the radar with his performances. We don’t talk about him enough. He’s very good at what he does. Very thorough defensively and has the pace to get him out of the trouble. If he keeps progressing the way he’s progressing, we have a really good centre-half.”
Former Leeds striker Michael Bridges views Rodon as the club’s Player of the Season, meanwhile. The consistency of his performances lifting him above Farke’s free-scoring forwards at the other end of the pitch.
“Joe Rodon has been the standout performer for probably the whole season defensively for Leeds United,” Bridges argues. “Mr. Consistent. Reliable.
“He typifies what it’s about under Daniel Farke.”
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