If a permanent agreement for Joe Rodon cannot be negotiated, Leeds United may turn to their youth squad.
Joe HIGHLIGHTS
- Leeds United dominated Rotherham United, winning handily by 3-0.
- Joe Rodon has been a fan favorite and has performed admirably, helping to a solid defense while keeping clean sheets.
If Rodon goes, Leeds could consider Diogo Monteiro as a possible successor owing to his talents and potential.
Leeds United did not suffer an unexpected setback at the hands of Rotherham United on Saturday, as Daniel Farke’s confident Whites defeated the lowly visitors to Elland Road 3-0.
It was a dominant performance that didn’t require the Leeds defence to be stern and alert at all times, with Rotherham’s Leam Richardson managing only two efforts on goal during the afternoon.
Still, Joe Rodon and Archie Gray would have been thrilled with another clean sheet for their individual seasons, while Illan Meslier in the Whites’ goal has 12 for the season.
Rodon, in particular, has emerged as a significant fan favourite in West Yorkshire this season.
However, with reports indicating that a deal to sign the Tottenham Hotspur player on a permanent basis may not go through, Farke could turn his attention to the club’s crop of youthful talent to find a new replacement when the loan ends.
Rodon’s future replacement in Leeds
Diogo Monteiro, who joined Leeds from Servette FC in Switzerland during the January transfer window last year, is a name Leeds supporters may become more familiar with in the future.
Even before Leeds chose to seek a deal for Monteiro, football scout Ron Dor described him as a “beast in the making” on social media. The Portugal U19 international might join the Whites’ first squad soon, especially if Rodon returns to Spurs.
Dazzling Servette fans with a variety of intricate passes played out from the back while still at the club, the 6-foot defender’s ability to be calm and measured on the ball makes him a viable successor to Rodon, who has been unerringly accurate on the ball for Leeds this season.
Monteiro, who has made ten appearances for the U21s in the Premier League 2, might be called up to the senior squad shortly to offer depth to the centre-back positions alongside Liam Cooper and Charlie Cresswell.
The German manager has demonstrated that he is not reluctant to push young players into the first-team spotlight, as evidenced by 17-year-old Gray’s continued inclusion in his starting lineup, and Monteiro might be the next beneficiary of Farke’s aggressive approach.
The latest on Joe Rodon’s future at Leeds.
According to a recent report from Football Insider, Rodon will only be able to sign a permanent contract at Elland Road if his current loan team wins promotion, increasing the pressure at Elland Road.
Leeds could do without losing Rodon if they fail to win promotion, as the Welsh defender is an important part of the Whites’ back four.
Amassing 154 touches in Leeds’ FA Cup rematch against Plymouth Argyle demonstrates his presence on the pitch, with Farke not removing the imposing centre-back despite the game nearly lasting 120 minutes.
Rodon was brilliant against Rotherham a few days after the Argyle Cup success, winning five duels in total and not shying away from battles as an active presence. He showed no symptoms of tiredness or fatigue.
Despite the possibility of Rodon leaving, the Whites will continue to perform business as usual for the time being, raking up more and more wins.
If Rodon leaves, Farke could do far worse than give Monteiro a chance to show and develop on the first team level.
