Leeds United will be sweating on Elland Road favourite as availability issue looms - View | OneFootball

Joe Rodon was back to his best against Sunderland, but a problem also arose from that game from a Leeds United perspective.

Joe Rodon was back to his very best against Sunderland, but Leeds United face losing the centre-back to suspension after the international break.

Rodon was one of Leeds' most impressive players last season, and was almost ever-present after he made 50 appearances. The 26-year-old first formed a formidable pairing alongside Pascal Struijk during the first half of the campaign, and had a similarly excellent partnership with Ethan Ampadu in 2024 as well.

A few eyebrows were raised when he decided to remain with Leeds for another year, this time on a permanent basis. He is sure to have had numerous suitors in the top-flight, but the ex-Spurs loanee has unfinished business with the Whites and Daniel Farke.

They beat Ipswich Town and Southampton to his signature, and in many ways, the standard of the 6'4" titanic defender's performances merits the £10 million fee to re-secure his services, whilst it also highlights his quality and Leeds' ambition in the process. ​​​Not many second tier sides are paying such a fee for a defensive reinforcement.

It could be a masterstroke, as he was arguably the best central defender in the league last season, and totally warranted a shot at Premier League football in 2024/25, albeit Leeds offered him an opportunity to find a home and settle in somewhere he had become a fan's favourite.

Joe Rodon's potential impact this season

Rodon was one of the league's stand-out central defenders last season, and has been outstanding for Leeds since signing on loan from Tottenham and will always start on the right-side at the heart of Leeds' defence when fit and available, as he has for every game of the league season so far.

His permanent deal came at just the right time for the Whites, after an imperious first season at the club, despite the loss of Archie Gray in the process. After Leeds secured his service for this campaign, it provided Farke's side with a strong partnership from the off.

Some continuity was needed for the Whites this season, and it was especially important to have throughout the spine of the team, where relationships have been built throughout the 2023/24 season, both on and off the pitch. Rodon, Struijk, and Ampadu arguably gives Leeds the best defensive axis in the Championship when played together.

Not only that, but he plays alongside Leeds' strongest central defender in possession, with Struijk so comfortable and composed, and able to punch passes forward with ease so far. As a duo, they complement one another well, and Leeds need them to stay fit now that Ampadu is out for roughly 10 weeks of action.

He is one of two primary players seen as first-team depth in central defensive areas, but Max Wöber is also likely to miss the next five weeks or so. It leaves James Debayo as the cover currently, unless Farke opts to play a full-back out of position, such as Sam Byram.

That said, Leeds are unlikely to change either of Struijk or Rodon unless Farke's hand is forced via an injury or suspension. As a duo, few other Championship pairings can hold a candle to them alongside one another. However, Struijk's start to the campaign has been the more impressive so far.

Losing Rodon would be a huge blow for Leeds

Rodon struggled early on in the campaign but has been back to his best in the last couple of games, despite showing some signs of weakness. He was outstanding against Sunderland on Friday. He gave away a penalty in midweek against Norwich City but quickly put that behind him with a brilliant and assured display at the Stadium of Light.

Per FBref, Rodon has made 18 tackles, interceptions, and blocks in total across the nine Championship games he has played in. Seven of those came on Friday, which was naturally a league high. The Welshman was a magnet for the ball and defended his box admirably, particularly during the second half.

The problem Leeds have without Ampadu and Wöber available is that they cannot afford either of Struijk or Rodon to pick up any sort of issue, and the latter is now just one yellow away from a suspension, having been booked during the first-half of the clash against Sunderland.

It was the only blemish on an otherwise stellar display. However, an injury to Rodon on international duty is unthinkable, and would leave Leeds light in defence, but a one-game suspension is also not affordable at this moment in time. The cut-off is the game against Derby on December 7th, but the Austrian defender may not be back until some time around the QPR and Swansea City fixtures in mid-November.

With the giant central defender one of their mainstays last season for much of last year, he would be a huge loss and an important piece of the solid defensive puzzle would be lost. Leeds would miss Rodon's aerial prowess, recovery speed, and reading of the game from a defensive perspective, especially after looking like getting back to his very best at the crucial time, too.

Rodon plays with his heart upon his sleeve, so you cannot restrict him to playing safe. Thundering into blocks and tackles is a feature of his game, which will no doubt see him carded at some point in the coming run of games, and at a time when Farke simply cannot lose his quality, ability, or character in the back line.