Leeds United Are Trying To Build Their Squad Around This Defender: Do The Club Need Him? | OneFootball

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, speaking to Football Insider, has shared Leeds United’s game plan for the upcoming summer transfer window. According to Brown, the Elland Road hierarchy plans to keep their best players first before adding more quality to that core group. Joe Rodon, the 28-year-old Welsh international centre-back who has been a regular in Daniel Farke‘s back line, is one of the names Leeds definitely want to hold onto.

Brown made it clear that keeping top performers is the only way to build a serious Premier League squad, arguing that letting key men leave would go against everything the club are trying to achieve. He pointed out that Leeds cannot just throw money at players who won’t actually improve the starting eleven, and that smart, targeted signings are the priority. Brown also mentioned the need to bring in exciting quality around the current spine of the team, with Rodon singled out as one of the main figures Farke wants to build his next campaign around.

“Leeds want to keep hold of their best players first and foremost,” Brown told Football Insider.

“That has to be their priority because if you want to keep improving and making progress, you have to make sure you’re not weakening your squad.

“That includes Joe Rodon, for example, who has been brilliant for Leeds this season.

“Then, going into the summer window, they want to add new additions to the side to build around those players and add more exciting quality to the side.

“Leeds know they need to improve if they want to stay in the Premier League, but they can’t go out and just spend millions on players who don’t improve them.

“They need to be clever with their moves and bring in quality players who will add something to the team in positions they need most.”

Do Leeds United Truly Need Joe Rodon for Next Season, and What Does His Future Hold?

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Joe Rodon of Leeds United reacts after his side concedes a third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leeds United at St James’ Park on January 07, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

According to FootyStats, Rodon has featured in 18 Premier League matches this season, clocking up 1,561 minutes. He has bagged two goals, averages 1.04 tackles and 0.98 interceptions per 90 minutes, and makes 5.71 clearances per game. Those numbers only tell half the story.

He ranked fifth among central defenders for ground duel win rate and was easily Leeds’ best player during the first half of the season, though his level dropped off a bit once 2026 hit. WhoScored identifies his strengths as passing and a preference for short distribution, while noting his hesitation to dive into tackles as a bit of a weak spot.

That last point is worth a closer look. Rodon reads the game well and wins plenty in the air, but his cautious approach to aggressive challenges can leave Leeds United exposed on the counter-press, especially against teams that move the ball fast. His ability to play out from the back is a massive plus in Farke’s system, which requires centre-backs who are comfortable on the ball. However, with the team conceding at a rate that puts them in the bottom half of the league, it seems the defensive unit around him needs more work than the centre-back position itself.

Current situation of the club

Leeds currently sit 15th in the Premier League table, just four points above the relegation zone, so things are tense but still under control. The fact is, Rodon is one of the few players who has consistently looked like he belongs at this level, and finding someone to replace that reliability in a single summer window is a lot tougher than it looks on paper.

I honestly believe Leeds United must keep Rodon next season, and it isn’t just about sentiment. He brings the aerial strength, leadership, and organisation that Farke’s tactics demand. Losing him would create a massive hole in the squad that a new signing, no matter how highly rated, might struggle to fill right away.

The summer will likely see Leeds United look for a striker, a creative midfielder, and some cover on the wings. If Rodon stays, they can put that money where it is actually needed instead of fixing a problem they have already solved. My gut feeling is that he stays, mostly because a massive offer that tempts everyone involved probably won’t come in, given Leeds’ current mid-table position.