Tuesday night looks set to be a momentous day for one Leeds United player with the international break drawing to a close, and his National Team manager has been full of praise.
Brenden Aaronson was in action for the United States in the early hours, while Ao Tanaka takes to the field on midday on Tuesday when Japan go up against China. Seven more are potentially in action.
Wilfried Gnonto, Mateo Joseph and Junior Firpo are all scheduled to play on Tuesday, with Firpo’s Dominican Republic playing at 11pm. Leeds‘ four Wales stars are also set to take to the field tonight.
They face Iceland, and it will see Joe Rodon pick up his 50th cap for Craig Bellamy’s side. An impressive feat, while Dan James reckons Rodon can go and get 100. Bellamy has been speaking about the star.
Craig Bellamy doesn’t think many are better than Joe Rodon
This season, the 27-year-old has been in stunning form. He has clocked up 21 appearances for club and country, registering a very solid 12 clean sheets – limiting his opponents to just 15 goals this season.
Bellamy told his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash against Iceland that he does not think there are many better defenders out there currently than Leeds’ £10m summer signing, Rodon.
“His box defending. I know you’ve heard me mention that. It means when you’re deep in defending in the box. Headers, blocked shots. He’s so good at it,” Bellamy told his pre-match press conference.
“That’s difficult. Trust me. There’s a lot of defenders that are not as good at that as him. When you look at him with the ball, he’s brilliant. The way we play enhances him even more. How he keeps it central.
“Doesn’t get blocked. He doesn’t go down pathways, or cul-de-sacs he can’t get out of. Loves defending. Obviously in the air he’s exceptional, but he’s good on the ball. Very, very quick. That’s a good defender.”
Joe Rodon recovered after suffering head injury last week
A bravely-fought point in Turkey saw a number of Wales stars carrying knocks and bruises, none more so than Rodon and Oxford United striker Mark Harris after a clash of heads when defending a Turkey cross.
Rodon said he’s used to that kind of injury in the Championship, before later saying he had undergone the concussion protocol and everything is fine ahead of clocking up his 50th cap for Wales later today.
For Leeds, it is also great news. Rodon plays every minute for Leeds and with a busy period of five games in the space of 16 days starting with old club Swansea, The Whites will be praying Rodon stays fit.
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