It is easy to argue that Leeds United would have preferred to lose any other player to injury than Joe Rodon. But as fate has it, Rodon has been struck with an ankle ligament injury.
Rodon suffered two knocks to the same ankle against Sunderland in quick succession and was forced off. Daniel Farke confirmed on Tuesday that Rodon will be missing for the next three Premier League games.
It also comes at the same time that Leeds are playing with a back three, instead of just two centre-backs, and it has highlighted a lack of depth in the middle of the defence. Sebastiaan Bornauw remains back-up.
But the Belgium star is yet to start in the Premier League. Now, reports claim that Leeds have targeted a defender, Danilho Doekhi, to replace Rodon, with the January window set to open in the next 24 hours.
Joe Rodon is the last player Leeds would have wanted to get injured – Discuss 🗣️
Daniel Farke has confimed he will miss the trip to Liverpool.
Danilho Doekhi has already made a decision on his Union future
A former teammate of Brenden Aaronson at Union Berlin, 27-year-old centre-back Doekhi has constantly been linked with a move to the Premier League but has instead entered a fourth season with Union.
However, the Dutch centre-back is out of contract in June, and Union will have to cash in if they are to rake in any money for the former Vitesse defender. That is, of course, unless Doekhi signs a new deal.
Well, Doekhi has already made a decision. Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reported on X in November that the defender would not sign a new deal and would leave Union before the summer of 2026.
Plettenberg reported: “A decision has been made: Danilho Doekhi intends to leave Union Berlin on a free transfer no later than summer 2026, as his contract expires then. A January move is not ruled out.
“Top Bundesliga clubs are interested. There are enquiries from England, Italy, Spain and Türkiye. Doekhi has already scored 6 goals, making him the most prolific centre-back in Europe, with Micky van de Ven.”
How would you line-up at Liverpool without Joe Rodon? 🤕
Would you stick with 3-5-2 or switch formation?
How harsh is it on Sebastiaan Bornauw, if Leeds sign Doekhi?
Common sense dictates that at Anfield on Thursday, Farke should maintain his 3-5-2 system that has worked so well and back Bornauw. But through no fault of the Belgian’s, there is some doubt there.
Farke has wanted to sign Bornauw for years, since his Norwich days. But this season, the £5m addition from Wolfsburg has managed just two late substitute outings in the Premier League as things stand.
He’s yet to start. With Rodon injured, it feels more likely that Farke reverts to a 4-3-3 rather than giving Bornauw a start and maintaining the 3-5-2 system that worked so well against Chelsea and Palace.
If Leeds go into the market and sign a replacement for Rodon, while Bornauw is there, it is harsh on the Belgian. But the change to three at the back has highlighted the need for more centre-back cover.
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