Leeds United star did something no other Elland Road defender has done since Rio Ferdinand managed it in 2001

Add as preferred source on Google

Back in the early noughties, Leeds United were among the best clubs in English football having reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2000 before losing to Valencia.

A star-studded side that included Paul Robinson, Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Olivier Dacourt, Alan Smith, Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Jonathan Woodgate, Lee Bowyer and plenty of other iconic Elland Road names.

It was a rich part of Leeds‘ modern history and the last 25 years, which has otherwise been filled largely with pain and relegation, points deductions and frustration and a revolving door in the board room.

While there seems to be some sort of stability with The 49ers upstairs and Daniel Farke in the dugout, Leeds remain in the Championship and some way behind the size of the club and fanbase suggests.

• READ MORE: Leeds battling Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Burnley for Aston Villa player

Joe Rodon matches Rio Ferdinand record on Saturday

However, the foundation and fundamentals to get back to the Premier League is certainly in place and Joe Rodon is a massive part of that. The Wales defender clocked up his 50th Wales cap earlier this season.

Then, on Saturday, Rodon clocked up his 50th start of the calendar year for Leeds. Signing on loan from Tottenham in August 2023, Rodon incredibly has played 72 times for Leeds and could reach 100 this term.

With 25 league games to play, and cup games, Rodon needs 28 to get to 100. But on Saturday, he did something no other Leeds defender has done since Rio Ferdinand in 2021 – start 50 games for Leeds.

Opta Stats man and Leeds fan Jonny Cooper posted on X: “Joe Rodon makes his 50th start in all competitions for Leeds in 2024, becoming the first #lufc central defender to start 50+ games in a year since Rio Ferdinand in 2001 (54).”

Daniel Farke’s best signings since becoming Leeds boss, ranked

The Leeds gaffer has made a number of good signings, some expensive but some cheap. One of his new signings is captain of Leeds and of his starting line-up, only a handful of previous Leeds players remain.

The quality of Japan star Tanaka, alongside the fact he cost less than half of Ethan Ampadu’s fee, makes him Farke’s best signing so far. Ampadu is a close second given he has become captain at Elland Road.

Rodon’s consistency at the back makes him a bargain at £10m, while Sam Byram on a free is probably the biggest surprise of Farke’s work in the window. Joel Piroe’s 21 goals in 71 games makes him fifth best.