Sports
Tottenham set to sign new centre-back but forgotten man could be the answer to their problems
Tottenham are set to bring in a central defender this month, but the solution to their problems could be right under their noses.
Spurs have agreed a deal for Genoa defender Radu Dragusin during the January transfer window.
The Romanian centre-back will move to north London – with Djed Spence going the other way on loan – as part of a plant to bolster Ange Postecoglou’s back line.
However, the move comes at the same time as exiled defender Joe Rodon’s impressive run of form for Leeds United.
The Wales star moved to Spurs from Swansea City for a fee in excess of £11million in 2020, but has been limited to just 24 appearances for the club in that time.
Rodon spent the full 2022/23 campaign on loan with French side Rennes where he made 24 appearances – however that season saw contrasting fortunes with Rodon a first team regular before dropping out of the side completely.
It was that loan spell that paved the way for Rodon to move to Elland Road in the hope of reigniting his career in the Championship, something that he’s managed in emphatic style.
Since arriving on a season-long loan, the 26-year-old has been a virtual ever-present for Leeds, making 24 appearances in all competitions and cementing his spot as a mainstay in the Whites’ defence.
Such has been the dominance of his displays, Rodon is the only defender in the Championship to have played more than 10 games and not been dribbled past this season.
It didn’t take long for Rodon to win the trust of boss Daniel Farke, with the Leeds boss saying last month: “What I like about him is that he has an old-school attitude, but he’s a perfect role model of a modern defender as well.
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“Because he is quick and good on the ball and you can defend with him on the high line.
“He also has good body language and leadership and it is also a topic we have worked on a bit since the beginning of the season.
“He has grown more and more into this role and he leads from the backline.
“I am pretty pleased that we have him and it was the same 30 years ago and it will be the same in 20 years that the first thing you have to do as a defender is defend really properly.
“This is what he is doing and so far, so good and if he goes on in this way, we will all be pretty happy.”
The long-term future of Rodon is something that is yet to be decided, but given his form at Elland Road, he’s not going to be short of options.
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Such have been the calibre of his displays, the Wales international will be keen to prove himself as a Premier League player and should Leeds get promoted, that opportunity could come with the Yorkshire side.
However, with Tottenham looking at ways to bolster their defence, they could do far worse than giving Rodon the chance to shine at the back.
After all, with ability on the ball and an “old school” defensive mindset, he could be the perfect hybrid to slot into Postecoglou’s plans.
Cardiff vs Leeds is live on talkSPORT 2 at 3pm on Saturday 13 January
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