While Manor Solomon and Jayden Bogle were celebrating their latest collaboration in the south-east corner of the Kassam Stadium, there was another moment being shared in Leeds United blue. Joe Rodon went to Daniel Farke and Ethan Ampadu chased him.
Solomon will gladly accept his ninth goal of the season and history will reflect Bogle’s third assist of the campaign, but this was Rodon’s goal, make no mistake. The centre-back, as he so often is with Leeds’ territorial dominance, was 10 yards inside the opposition half as the stars aligned for him.
Wilfried Gnonto had dropped back to cause doubt in Oxford United minds, while Bogle was arcing around everyone in yellow to collect the ball in space. Rodon saw it, executed it and removed four defenders from the equation in one jab of his boot.
Rodon battling for possession in Oxford on Friday night (Cameron Howard/Getty Images)
Farke loved it and so did Ampadu. These are two people who respect and appreciate what Rodon has been doing on a weekly basis for 20 months in Leeds colours. They see the dirty work, the tackles, the headers, the aggression, the high standards, the battle scars, the trenches he dominates along United’s backline.
Advertisement
This was another side to him. It’s a pass they probably see on a daily basis in training, but he doesn’t often get that platform in a competitive game. They were delighted for him. And that was only the start.
His nine clearances, five of them headers, on Friday night were more than double the tally anyone else managed in the game. Rodon also won 10 of his 12 duels. He was indomitable on a night Leeds needed warriors.
The 27-year-old was pumped up. He celebrated every victorious tackle or block as the minutes ebbed away from the game. Rodon seized his moment. There was even space for an 84th-minute drive upfield, like the team’s right-winger, to win a free-kick in Oxford territory.
If Will Vaulks was Oxford’s trebuchet, Rodon was United’s 100-foot granite wall. Those throw-ins were hurled in all night and time after time, it was the Wales international clearing a path and sending the missiles back whence they came.
It’s ironic that, in the week his team-mate, compatriot and friend Daniel James was nominated for Championship Player of the Season, it was Rodon’s turn in the limelight. In a week where James’s attacking prowess has, rightly, been acknowledged, it was the defender’s turn to be appreciated.
Seasoned Leeds spectators know exactly what Rodon’s worth is to this team, but it’s easy for goals and assists to overshadow the soldiering being done at the rear. Are we guilty of taking Rodon for granted? Would anyone put him forward as United’s in-house player of the year?
He’s just there, all the time, consistently churning out seven, eight and nine-out-of-10 performances. He has been there for every cough and splutter of this season, this run to being the best team in the league with only 270 minutes left to play.
Rodon celebrates Leeds’ win against Preston earlier this month (George Wood/Getty Images)
Forty-three games, 43 starts. Rodon is durable, dependable and a leader in a side which is short on 30-something veterans playing regularly. While others have come and gone with fitness or form, the former Tottenham Hotspur man is the cornerstone of this team, Farke’s dream.
He’s so close now to what he came back for. He was arguably last season’s player of the year. After failing to win promotion at Wembley, every right-thinking expectation expected Rodon would be back in the Premier League with someone else. Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton, front-row spectators in 2023-24, all had a nibble, but Leeds dug their claws in.
Advertisement
Archie Gray’s sale to Tottenham may have got the ball rolling in those talks between the clubs and, release clause or not, chairman Paraag Marathe was dead-set on ensuring the wheels were greased on Rodon in the other direction. The defender did not take much convincing to come back. There was unfinished business and friends to be reunited with.
Easter Monday at Elland Road with promotion virtually on the line is why Rodon came back. It will be a bear pit inside those four walls and Leeds have their fighter. As Solomon was given the honour of handing Sky Sports’s man of the match gong to Rodon, he kept it simple: “What a man, what a player.”
(Header photo: Cameron Howard/Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Rogério Ceni, do Bahia, elege atacante perigoso no Brasil
Ceni durante entrevista coletiva após jogo da Libertadores (Letícia Martins - Divulgação) Rogério Ceni fez questão de exaltar o Bahia pelo resultado positivo faturado sobre o Palmeiras neste domingo (27), em pleno Allianz Parque, pela 6ª rodada do Brasileirão, e valorizou o triunfo destacando a força do adversário. Entre os elogios feitos ao time de Abel Ferreira, o treinador enalteceu Flaco López, classificando o atacante como nome perigoso no comando ofensivo, principalmente pelo posicionamento e a forte impulsão. Ele ainda fez questão de pontuar sobre a qualidade de Paulinho e Vitor Roque. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Resiliência para se defender foi importante. Paulinho joga como centroavante, em dupla de ataque, tenho um apreço muito grande e gostaria de trabalhar com ele no meu time. Flaco vem desenvolvendo papel fantástico. Bola aérea nele, eles têm essa jogada. Vitor Roque também joga plantado. Para […]
Lenda do futebol alemão critica Rudiger e pede punição severa por arremessar objeto em árbitro: ‘Estava louco’
Campeão do mundo com a Alemanha em 1990, Lothar Matthäus criticou o comportamento do zagueiro alemão Antonio Rudiger durante a final da Copa do Rei, entre Real Madrid e Barcelona, no sábado. Em comentários durante o talkshow "Sky90", a lenda do futebol disse que o compatriota merece uma punição exemplar por ter arremessado um objeto em campo, na direção do árbitro, para protestar contra a marcação de uma falta. 'Antes, era visto como Deus': Torcedores do Valladolid criticam Ronaldo, dono do clube, após rebaixamentoEmissário da CBF assiste à final da Copa do Rei, em Sevilha, para tentar antecipar chegada de Ancelotti ao Brasil, diz jornal espanhol — Ele estava louco. Não conseguia mais se controlar, e seus companheiros de equipe tiveram que acalmá-lo e segurá-lo com muita força. Eles o seguraram como um lutador para impedi-lo de correr para o […]
„Hat mich in Szene gesetzt“ – Rummenigge: ER war mein Lieblingsmitspieler
Legenden des Fußballs!1974 schloss sich der gerade mal 18-jährige Karl-Heinz Rummenigge dem glorreichen FC Bayern an. Bis 1984 absolvierte er weit über 400 Pflichtspiele für die Münchner, heimste in der Zeit zahlreiche Titel ein. Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Titel, die der frühere Vorstandsboss und heutiges Aufsichtsratsmitglied der Bayern auch seinen exzellenten Mitspielern zu verdanken habe, wie Rummenigge nun dem „kicker“ erzählte. Einer blieb dabei ganz besonders in Erinnerung: Paul Breitner sei der „Beste“ gewesen. Rummenigge: „Er hat mich in Szene gesetzt, wie es meinem Talent am besten entsprach. Wir verstanden uns blind auf dem Platz.“Das Super-Duo Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (l., damals 26) und Paul Breitner (damals 30) spielten sowohl bei den Bayern als auch in der deutschen Nationalmannschaft zusammenFoto: Getty Images<!-->]-->Der frühere Angreifer erinnert sich: „1980 und 1981 wurden wir Meister, 1982 Pokalsieger. Leider haben wir das Finale im Europacup der Landesmeister 1982 […]
Ke skokanům míří velké jméno. Reprezentaci povede bývalý mistr světa
Mladý Slovinec Trček působil u českého týmu dvě sezony a Roman Koudelka si jeho elán pochvaloval. Nicméně ani jediný Čech schopný závodit ve Světovém poháru nemá za sebou povedenou sezonu, když bodoval v jediném závodě, a Trček se po sezoně rozhodl pro návrat do Slovinska.S touto skokansky úspěšnou zemí je spojený i Sakala, jenž se v roce 1994 stal v Planici leteckým mistrem světa a později ve Slovinsku působil osm let i jako trenér. Zároveň je majitelem týmového bronzu z olympiády Albertville 1992 a tři medailí ze světového šampionátu ve Falunu o rok později.Důvody jeho angažmá osvětlil na webu Czech-ski.com jeho syn Filip, jenž je sportovním ředitelem této disciplíny.„Má zkušenosti z působení u reprezentačního týmu žen, osm let trénoval ve Slovinsku v klubu Iliria Lublaň, kde se podílel na výchově olympijských medailistů Urši Bogatajové a Lovra Kose, a nyní působí jako šéftrenér Sportovního centra mládeže. Uzrál čas znovu postavit systém českého skoku na lyžích na domácích trenérech,“ uvedl Filip […]
Lewis-Skelly: ‘Genius’ Arteta has Arsenal ready for PSG test
Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly believes the Gunners are ready for the challenge of facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals thanks to their "genius" boss Mikel Arteta.The Gunners are gearing up for a special night at the Emirates Stadium as they prepare for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against the French champions on Tuesday. Arsenal last played in a Champions League semi-final in 2009 and their sole appearance in the showpiece of Europe's premier club competition arrived three years earlier when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.Lewis-Skelly, who has enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season in north London, insists his side are ready for the occasion that awaits against PSG and says there will be "no excuses" going into the game."As a team, we are prepared and we are ready," Lewis-Skelly told Sky Sports. "We are […]
Merson Says: Arsenal can beat PSG and have ‘massive chance’ to win CL
Sky Sports' Paul Merson says Arsenal can beat Paris Saint-Germain over two legs in the Champions League semi-final, and have a "massive opportunity" to win the tournament.The Gunners face the Ligue 1 side at the Emirates on Tuesday evening after a six-day break since their previous game against Crystal Palace, with the return leg the following Wednesday at the Parc des Princes. The two sides have already faced each other this season in Europe, with Arsenal winning 2-0 at the Emirates in the league phase.But PSG's form has improved since, beating Liverpool and Aston Villa in the last two knockout rounds, and Luis Enrique's side will be hoping to take their third Premier League scalp to reach the Munich final.Here, former Arsenal favourite Merson offers his views on the upcoming tie and why Mikel Arteta's side can emerge victorious... 'Arsenal […]
Related
Rogério Ceni, do Bahia, elege atacante perigoso no Brasil
Ceni durante entrevista coletiva após jogo da Libertadores (Letícia Martins - Divulgação) Rogério Ceni fez questão de exaltar o Bahia pelo resultado positivo faturado sobre o Palmeiras neste domingo (27), em pleno Allianz Parque, pela 6ª rodada do Brasileirão, e valorizou o triunfo destacando a força do adversário. Entre os elogios feitos ao time de Abel Ferreira, o treinador enalteceu Flaco López, classificando o atacante como nome perigoso no comando ofensivo, principalmente pelo posicionamento e a forte impulsão. Ele ainda fez questão de pontuar sobre a qualidade de Paulinho e Vitor Roque. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Resiliência para se defender foi importante. Paulinho joga como centroavante, em dupla de ataque, tenho um apreço muito grande e gostaria de trabalhar com ele no meu time. Flaco vem desenvolvendo papel fantástico. Bola aérea nele, eles têm essa jogada. Vitor Roque também joga plantado. Para […]
Lenda do futebol alemão critica Rudiger e pede punição severa por arremessar objeto em árbitro: ‘Estava louco’
Campeão do mundo com a Alemanha em 1990, Lothar Matthäus criticou o comportamento do zagueiro alemão Antonio Rudiger durante a final da Copa do Rei, entre Real Madrid e Barcelona, no sábado. Em comentários durante o talkshow "Sky90", a lenda do futebol disse que o compatriota merece uma punição exemplar por ter arremessado um objeto em campo, na direção do árbitro, para protestar contra a marcação de uma falta. 'Antes, era visto como Deus': Torcedores do Valladolid criticam Ronaldo, dono do clube, após rebaixamentoEmissário da CBF assiste à final da Copa do Rei, em Sevilha, para tentar antecipar chegada de Ancelotti ao Brasil, diz jornal espanhol — Ele estava louco. Não conseguia mais se controlar, e seus companheiros de equipe tiveram que acalmá-lo e segurá-lo com muita força. Eles o seguraram como um lutador para impedi-lo de correr para o […]
„Hat mich in Szene gesetzt“ – Rummenigge: ER war mein Lieblingsmitspieler
Legenden des Fußballs!1974 schloss sich der gerade mal 18-jährige Karl-Heinz Rummenigge dem glorreichen FC Bayern an. Bis 1984 absolvierte er weit über 400 Pflichtspiele für die Münchner, heimste in der Zeit zahlreiche Titel ein. Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Titel, die der frühere Vorstandsboss und heutiges Aufsichtsratsmitglied der Bayern auch seinen exzellenten Mitspielern zu verdanken habe, wie Rummenigge nun dem „kicker“ erzählte. Einer blieb dabei ganz besonders in Erinnerung: Paul Breitner sei der „Beste“ gewesen. Rummenigge: „Er hat mich in Szene gesetzt, wie es meinem Talent am besten entsprach. Wir verstanden uns blind auf dem Platz.“Das Super-Duo Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (l., damals 26) und Paul Breitner (damals 30) spielten sowohl bei den Bayern als auch in der deutschen Nationalmannschaft zusammenFoto: Getty Images<!-->]-->Der frühere Angreifer erinnert sich: „1980 und 1981 wurden wir Meister, 1982 Pokalsieger. Leider haben wir das Finale im Europacup der Landesmeister 1982 […]
Ke skokanům míří velké jméno. Reprezentaci povede bývalý mistr světa
Mladý Slovinec Trček působil u českého týmu dvě sezony a Roman Koudelka si jeho elán pochvaloval. Nicméně ani jediný Čech schopný závodit ve Světovém poháru nemá za sebou povedenou sezonu, když bodoval v jediném závodě, a Trček se po sezoně rozhodl pro návrat do Slovinska.S touto skokansky úspěšnou zemí je spojený i Sakala, jenž se v roce 1994 stal v Planici leteckým mistrem světa a později ve Slovinsku působil osm let i jako trenér. Zároveň je majitelem týmového bronzu z olympiády Albertville 1992 a tři medailí ze světového šampionátu ve Falunu o rok později.Důvody jeho angažmá osvětlil na webu Czech-ski.com jeho syn Filip, jenž je sportovním ředitelem této disciplíny.„Má zkušenosti z působení u reprezentačního týmu žen, osm let trénoval ve Slovinsku v klubu Iliria Lublaň, kde se podílel na výchově olympijských medailistů Urši Bogatajové a Lovra Kose, a nyní působí jako šéftrenér Sportovního centra mládeže. Uzrál čas znovu postavit systém českého skoku na lyžích na domácích trenérech,“ uvedl Filip […]
Merson Says: Arsenal can beat PSG and have ‘massive chance’ to win CL
Sky Sports' Paul Merson says Arsenal can beat Paris Saint-Germain over two legs in the Champions League semi-final, and have a "massive opportunity" to win the tournament.The Gunners face the Ligue 1 side at the Emirates on Tuesday evening after a six-day break since their previous game against Crystal Palace, with the return leg the following Wednesday at the Parc des Princes. The two sides have already faced each other this season in Europe, with Arsenal winning 2-0 at the Emirates in the league phase.But PSG's form has improved since, beating Liverpool and Aston Villa in the last two knockout rounds, and Luis Enrique's side will be hoping to take their third Premier League scalp to reach the Munich final.Here, former Arsenal favourite Merson offers his views on the upcoming tie and why Mikel Arteta's side can emerge victorious... 'Arsenal […]
Lewis-Skelly: ‘Genius’ Arteta has Arsenal ready for PSG test
Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly believes the Gunners are ready for the challenge of facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals thanks to their "genius" boss Mikel Arteta.The Gunners are gearing up for a special night at the Emirates Stadium as they prepare for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against the French champions on Tuesday. Arsenal last played in a Champions League semi-final in 2009 and their sole appearance in the showpiece of Europe's premier club competition arrived three years earlier when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.Lewis-Skelly, who has enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season in north London, insists his side are ready for the occasion that awaits against PSG and says there will be "no excuses" going into the game."As a team, we are prepared and we are ready," Lewis-Skelly told Sky Sports. "We are […]
Be the first to leave a comment