Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu played their first games at Wembley since Leeds United lost to Southampton, with England beating Wales.
Ethan Ampadu was withdrawn after 64 minutes ahead of Wales’ huge game against Belgium in the World Cup qualifier on Monday, but his Leeds United teammates played the full 90.
Karl Darlow and Joe Rodon conceded three first-half goals to settle the match, with Wales losing 3-0 at Wembley. The centre-back could do very little, albeit Roy Keane was not keen on the defending from Rodon et al.
Rodon’s Wales side lost 4-3 to Belgium last time out and they will need a much-improved performance from last night against England for a huge game in their qualification campaign.
Leeds United centre-back Joe Rodon’s match rating from England 3-0 Wales
Welsh pundits think Rodon is a leader and ‘captain material’ for his previous displays, with his availability so consistent for club and country. That said, Rodon missed the previous internationals through injury.
He’s someone that the current side is built around, with Craig Bellamy throwing praise at Rodon before the current international break even began. Karl Darlow agrees with the assessment of Rodon.
Lee Dixon praised Rodon in last night’s 3-0 England win, but what did the Welsh media think? On the Leeds trio, Wales Online gave the following verdicts below.
“Karl Darlow: 6. A difficult first Wembley outing for the Wales keeper, but little to take too much issue with.
“Ethan Ampadu: 5. Battled reasonably but nowhere near his usual level of influence. Subbed.
“Joe Rodon: 7 STAR MAN. Made a fair number of crucial defensive interventions to keep the score down.”
Similar was also said of Rodon in Y Clwb Pel-droed, with harsher ratings. He was given a six, which was their highest overall match rating.
Their report said: “One of the few defenders to deal with crosses effectively, making key clearances to keep the hosts from adding to their tally. He was the standout player in a red shirt.”
The English media’s view of Joe Rodon
Rodon has been breaking records for Leeds this season, but this was not his finest night. Despite the fact he was their standout, none of the Welsh team came out with too much credit.
It was a night when England’s Thomas Tuchel avoided unwanted records against Wales. Many of a Welsh persuasion viewed Rodon as their best player, but the English media were not so kind.
In fact, The Guardian gave Rodon the lowest rating of the Leeds trio. They said: “Provided no leadership when England pressed from early set pieces. The marking was staggeringly bad. 3.”
Meanwhile, Darlow had a five and Ampadu a four at Wembley. Ampadu declared for Wales over England early on his footballing education.
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