When Daniel Farke arrived at Leeds United in the summer of 2023, the connection with Tottenham Hotspur was strong. It allowed Leeds to do a deal and sign Joe Rodon on loan.
Gretar Steinsson was working behind the scenes alongside Nick Hammond at Leeds that season, and it also saw Djed Spence arrive on loan from Spurs. A year later, Archie Gray was on his way to Spurs.
A quarter of the £40m used to lure Gray to North London was immediately reimbursed by Leeds on Rodon. The deal to sign Rodon has since been one of Daniel Farke’s best signings at Elland Road.
But there has been one damning indictment in Rodon’s numbers that has played on Farke’s mind since the big Wales defender moved to Elland Road. The centre-back’s lack of goals have been alarming.
Farke says improving Rodon’s goal threat a big achievement
Before the start of the season, Rodon had managed just one goal for Leeds in his two years with the club in the Championship. But, this season, that has changed. It started with his goal against Bournemouth.
Then, he hit the post against Spurs and netted past Thibaut Courtois in Wales’ 4-2 loss to Belgium. Rodon is improving, and Farke described improving Rodon’s threat as one of his biggest achievements at Leeds.
“That is one of my achievements here, in my reign, that I am most proud of. “When Joe Rodon walked in, I said I won’t allow this. For a guy so strong defensively with his head, 1000 games at senior level, no goals.
“I won’t start you if you don’t improve this [he jokes]. I’m on him every day, each and every training, he has to take many offensive headers. I’m not 100% happy with this outcome, but it seems like it’s worked.
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“Tough love and being strict works, he has improved a lot. He is becoming a goal threat, it is becoming an important topic. I’m happy he’s scoring for us and Wales. You have to be able to win with set-pieces.
“You have to have this mentality as a defensive player. Be greedy to score a goal, he is improving that a lot. It’s a trend we need to have. No jokes, one of my proudest achievements, because it was so poor.”
Joe Rodon’s career goals for all of his clubs, and for Wales
Despite scoring twice in the last few weeks for both Leeds and Wales, Rodon has only ever scored four goals at senior level throughout his career. His first goal might have gone under the radar, however.
Indeed, Rodon scored his first-ever goal while on loan in France with Rennes. His second came in the summer when he finally opened his account for Wales during a 3-0 World Cup win over Liechtenstein.
Now, Rodon has four goals, but judging by Farke’s comments, he wants the centre-back to score a whole lot more this season. Whether Rodon can add to his tally of two for club and country, remains to be seen.