Latest news with #JoeRodon
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leeds must put everything into summer recruitment
For the first time in decades Leeds United have owners with deep pockets and a competent board and management team who can match pragmatism with ambition. And they will need all that nous to navigate this summer's transfer market. No one can say who will make the step up to the Premier League within the squad. But there is a core group of players who I imagine would and that includes Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Jayden Bogle, Ao Tanaka and Dan James. I would imagine the club are working on a deal to bring Manor Solomon back, as well as considering the merits of a new contract for Junior Firpo. The two linked up on Leeds' left side to great success last season. Chairman Paraag Marathe confirmed sales will have to be made to ensure the club's position against financial fair play rules. This means any sales would have to represent a profit on the balance sheet. So it would not surprise me should Illan Meslier be sold. The Frenchman fell out of favour towards the end of the season and could attract a price tag that would surpass what Leeds paid for him. One player fans might expect Leeds to sell is Brenden Aaronson. But I do not see him attracting an offer that would secure a profit, and despite his deficiencies in possession, he has excelled without the ball in disrupting opposition teams' passing play. Leeds will be defending far more in the Premier League than in the Championship and will need to adjust their strategy to survive, and that includes recruitment and retention. United are back where the club and city deserve to be but they must put everything they have into this summer's transfer window if they want to stay up. Latest Leeds United news, analysis and fan views Follow Leeds United in the BBC Sport app Listen to the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast
BBC News
07-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'I came here to play every minute'
Nobody has had more minutes on the pitch this season for Leeds United than defender Joe Rodon. The Wales international has started every one of the club's 35 league games after which they sit top of the Championship. He is a warrior, often battered and bruised, but always there for his team-mates."I feel good to be fair," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "I think having the experience last season opened my eyes to the whole schedule with the league. "It's crazy as everyone knows, but every player wants to play every minute and this is what I came here to do. I'm enjoying every minute of it."Rodon, 27, plays with his heart on his sleeve and goes where others may fear to tread. "This season I've had more head knocks than I'd like," he said. "I try not to, to be honest. It does hurt. But if it happens, It happens. I guess that's part of the game I'm just used to it now."It's that attitude which sees him drive the side on from the back with his marauding runs and towering headers. But also with his vocal presence."I'm normally quite loud on the pitch anyway just in communicating with the team in order to try and help - to make other people's jobs easier," he is not afraid to hold his team-mates to account on the pitch if things are not quite right. It's a trait that has somewhat dissipated from the modern game. "The boss can get on to me about this, to always be positive," he said."I'm a really competitive person. So I think frustration and emotion creeps into that. I think it's the same for a lot of players, but yeah, I'm just really, really competitive. I'm a competitive problem. "I don't mean that in a negative way. It's more of a kind of a pick me up to work harder and do more." With his captain and compatriot Ethan Ampadu (knee) out for the foreseeable future does Rodon feel more of a responsibility to step up? "I always try to take the lead and lift it more, to help and to bring my say to it," he said."So I guess without Ethan's presence there's a bit of that. "There are a lot of other leaders in this dressing room, especially people like Junior (Firpo) as well who can benefit and lead the team. "I just love talking on the pitch to be honest, I just can't help it."Don't ever change Joe! Communication is key to success. Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00 GMT, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rodon does not need armband to lead by example
"Whoa! I don't think it's even sunk in yet!" admitted an emotional Joe Rodon to BBC Radio Leeds in the immediate aftermath of the dramatic 2-1 over Sunderland at Elland Road. "Those ones are the best ones when you score in the last minute to win. It's a fantastic night and now I'm really looking forward to next week." The defender is of course referring to Monday's top of the Championship clash at second-placed Sheffield United when he will be the first name on manager Daniel Farke's team-sheet. The Wales international has played 40 full 90 minutes for club and country this season, not missing a minute of league action. Rodon, 27, wears his heart on his sleeve, is often in the wars on the pitch and does not need an armband to lead by example. He would rather reserve the praise for those who do, whether it be his compatriot and club captain Ethan Ampadu, or fellow centre-back Pascal Struijk whose brace as a substitute secured the points against Sunderland. "For Pascal to come on, after he hasn't played in a couple of games, and do that is incredible and I'm very happy for him," Rodon added. The former Spurs man was just as effusive about midfielder Joe Rothwell who assisted both goals after also being thrown into the fray from the bench. "He's kind of our unsung hero is Joe," Rodon said. "A brilliant technical player and you can see he has added to us this year with that more kind of direct play and by bringing the quality and lifting the level of the group. He changed the game but I'm not surprised at all." Every side needs game changers at times but it also requires its stalwarts - Rodon is certainly that. He was also savouring every precious drop of an ecstatic victory. "It's important as a team to celebrate moments like this and especially for the fans and the club," he said. In a season when others have caught the eye, particularly from the wings, they owe many of their moments in the sun to the guile and spirit of the warrior behind them who is steering them on the journey whilst milking every minute. Sheffield United v Leeds United (KO 20:00 GMT) will be live from Bramall Lane on all BBC Radio Leeds frequencies with all the build up from 18:00. Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
BBC News
20-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Rodon does not need armband to lead by example
"Whoa! I don't think it's even sunk in yet!" admitted an emotional Joe Rodon to BBC Radio Leeds in the immediate aftermath of the dramatic 2-1 over Sunderland at Elland Road. "Those ones are the best ones when you score in the last minute to win. It's a fantastic night and now I'm really looking forward to next week."The defender is of course referring to Monday's top of the Championship clash at second-placed Sheffield United when he will be the first name on manager Daniel Farke's team-sheet. The Wales international has played 40 full 90 minutes for club and country this season, not missing a minute of league 27, wears his heart on his sleeve, is often in the wars on the pitch and does not need an armband to lead by example. He would rather reserve the praise for those who do, whether it be his compatriot and club captain Ethan Ampadu, or fellow centre-back Pascal Struijk whose brace as a substitute secured the points against Sunderland. "For Pascal to come on, after he hasn't played in a couple of games, and do that is incredible and I'm very happy for him," Rodon former Spurs man was just as effusive about midfielder Joe Rothwell who assisted both goals after also being thrown into the fray from the bench. "He's kind of our unsung hero is Joe," Rodon said."A brilliant technical player and you can see he has added to us this year with that more kind of direct play and by bringing the quality and lifting the level of the group. He changed the game but I'm not surprised at all."Every side needs game changers at times but it also requires its stalwarts - Rodon is certainly that. He was also savouring every precious drop of an ecstatic victory. "It's important as a team to celebrate moments like this and especially for the fans and the club," he a season when others have caught the eye, particularly from the wings, they owe many of their moments in the sun to the guile and spirit of the warrior behind them who is steering them on the journey whilst milking every United v Leeds United (KO 20:00 GMT) will be live from Bramall Lane on all BBC Radio Leeds frequencies with all the build up from 18: to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
