Joe Rodon is set to make his first start of the Premier League season against Chelsea this weekend.
The Welsh defender joined Spurs late in the last transfer window from Swansea.
The Lilywhites had spent much of the summer looking to sign a new centre back and they settled for him when they couldn’t land their other targets.
The defender joined Spurs for just £11m, but that price doesn’t show his value, rather it shows how good Daniel Levy is at negotiating deals.
He has been training with the Spurs team but he has played less than 20 minutes of football for them since he joined.
However, he was called upon to replace Toby Alderweireld last weekend against Manchester City, a move that shows that Jose Mourinho now rates him higher than Davinson Sanchez.
He wasn’t registered for the Europa League, but he is expected to start alongside Eric Dier at the weekend.
Mail Online believes that he might seize his chance and remain in the starting XI, giving reasons why that could happen.
They write: “So what can Rodon bring that Sanchez doesn’t? Well, extra height is one, obvious factor – but a major one still as Mourinho is well known to like his teams to be as big as possible. Rodon stands at 6ft 4in, two inches taller than Dier, Alderweireld and Sanchez, who are all 6ft 2in.
“Though Rodon’s stature and strength in the air will be major tick for Mourinho – especially if Chelsea start with 6ft 5in Tammy Abraham or 6ft 4in Olivier Giroud up front – it is his reading of the game of the game which made him stand out in the Championship.
“While Rodon has the presence to deal with physical challenges, his instinctive understanding of where he needs to be often allows him to get to the ball before the forward has realised what is happening, a la Rio Ferdinand. It is this factor, more than any other, which will have set Rodon apart from Sanchez for Mourinho – who is said to have been very impressed by his performances in training.”
100% agree since his position change he has proved all my negativity about him wrong
He must have more than Dier or Toby was my thinking 😉
I asked in a previous blog before we signed him and I was told that yes, he’s quick enough
Think we all have to agree & give Eric credit for his performances, José & Ledley have worked their magic with him.
Can’t believe your writing that about dier and I agree
Does he have a bit of pace?
Joe has come a long way in a relatively short time, and he handled the step up to international level with ease, if he starts I hope he shines, but it’s a big call in such a game.
Sounds like he has the attributes to work well with Dier in theory. Dier the more combative, first choice for attacking a header, growing into a leader, great range of long passing – and Rodon the height, the pace, the reading of the game and defensive intelligence.
Could be good.