Joe Rodon says life at Spurs turned him into a man

JOE RODON says Spurs made him a man – but he is finally feeling loved after joining Leeds on loan.

The Wales defender, 25, has made just 24 Tottenham appearances since signing from Swansea in 2020.

Rodon had a temporary spell away from North London last term at Ligue 1 club Rennes and then joined Daniel Farke’s side on a season-long loan.

Rodon said: “At Swansea I did have close relationships with the manager, but when I went to Spurs it was more on your own. I learnt a lot in that period being at Spurs.

“Coming to Leeds, the manager’s been brilliant with me since I’ve walked through the door. 

“It’s just nice to have that kind of relationship again, to feel like you’re part of it and you’re wanted.”

Rodon was signed by Jose Mourinho for £11million but failed to win a place under him, Nuno Espirito Santo or Antonio Conte.

He was also overlooked by new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou — but reckons he has matured despite his limited action.

Rodon added: “At Tottenham, I learned to become a man in that environment and just handle being on my own, maturing and developing. 

“But coming to Leeds and having that relationship already and feeling wanted and in the group, it means a lot more to me.”

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Rodon, named in the Wales squad today for the friendly against South Korea and Euro 2024 qualifier in Latvia next month, has joined fellow Welshmen Ethan Ampadu and Dan James at Elland Road.

He added: “DJ was excited, he was really excited when the news came out.

“DJ being here for quite a few seasons, just having a chat with him and of course very high regard and respect for everything with the club. 

“When it came to me and with Ethan also signing here this summer, it was kind of a no-brainer for me.”

Rodon was joined in Robert Page’s squad named in Bala this morning by Luton’s Tom Lockyer.

Hatters captain Lockyer collapsed in last season;s Championship play-off final following a heart scare and required surgery to correct an atrial fibrillation.

Lockyer has made a full recovery and led Luton in their opening two Premier League matches against Brighton and Chelsea.

Page said: “It’s a great story. We all watched the events unfold in the play off final. We were all concerned, but there has been nothing but positivity since that day.

“He has had some great news, he is back to normal and is now playing in the Premier League, which is unbelievable for him as well.

“It is always going to be a challenge when you get promoted to the Premier League, Luton have done really well to be where they are at with the resources they have available to them.

“But for him personally he should be very proud of how he has recovered after it. A dream for him was to play in the Premier League and he has achieved that.”

Leeds winger James has been ruled out due to an abductor problem.

Page added: “It’s probably about a three-week injury so we could push and push him, but we would not have had him at his best.

“And it would be like pushing him to the day before the Latvia game.

“I don’t think Leeds would want that and we need people on the grass fit and ready to go because it is obviously an important game for us.

“We have seen the scan results and it was an easy decision for us in the end to leave him out.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk