It’s 2020, and Jose Mourinho is currently in charge of Tottenham Hotspur. The Portuguese gaffer needed defensive reinforcement, and he signed a current Leeds United player.
His name is Joe Rodon and he left Swansea City to join Spurs for an £11m fee. Rodon struggled during his time at Tottenham, and after loan spells with Rennes in France and then Leeds, he left Spurs permanently.
Leeds have benefited. Rodon joined Leeds as a failed Premier League player, but under Daniel Farke’s stewardship, he has become a stalwart of the modern Leeds, choosing to rejoin Leeds over other clubs.
Since returning to the Premier League, Rodon has excelled back in the Premier League after making it clear he felt he had a point to prove in the top tier. Troy Deeney picked Rodon in his Team of the Week.
Daniel Farke heaps praise on Leeds defender Joe Rodon
Farke was asked about Rodon in his press conference this week, ahead of facing his old side Tottenham and whether Rodon may also have a point to prove to his old side. Farke responded by praising Rodon.
“It’s not like he has 200 Premier League games under his belt. It’s difficult to go into a Tottenham side that had just played in the Champions League final, naturally a bit more difficult as a young centre-back.
“Much more mature, grown as a player and as a person, a way better player than he was three years ago. He’s proven already that he can do it. But it is about doing it over a whole season, showing consistency.
“He has been excellent so far; he is adding goal threat. I’ve always moaned about it, I was on his back about it. There is always room for improvement but he is on a good path to prove himself,” he said.
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Joe Rodon is Leeds’ fifth-best player so far, as per the stats
Many would have Rodon as Leeds’ best player this season, certainly in the top three but according to the stats, Rodon is only fifth-best at the moment. Top of the charts currently is £19.9m signing Anton Stach.
It will be no surprise to see Sean Longstaff near the top after two man-of-the-match performances in his four starts. Karl Darlow has replaced Lucas Perri and has been excellent, without winning a clean sheet.
Ultimately, there are a whole host of Leeds players in good form and they will need to reproduce that on Saturday if Leeds are to avoid defeat against the Europa League champions, and notably, Archie Gray.