Antonio Conte impressed by Joe Rodon after Wales display despite Tottenham Hotspur snub
Wales coach Robert Page has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte was left impressed by Joe Rodon for his display against Austria. The centre-back was once again excellent for his country despite being sidelined for a long duration back at the club level.
Rodon has garnered just three appearances under Conte, which amounts to just 187 minutes of action. The central defender has been cast aside by the manager, even when his side suffered from injuries in the backline to Eric Dier, Japhet Tanganga and Cristian Romero. That is without even considering Davinson Sanchez, who has been poor when given chances.
Speaking in a press conference (h/t The Sun), Page has expressed that Conte hailed Rodon for his performance against Austria. The former added that the Spurs boss had watched the game and heaped praises on the Welsh defender for his solid display. Perhaps, that could give the centre-back the breakthrough that he yearned for at the club level.
“I know Antonio Conte was watching last Thursday. He was very complimentary about Joe’s performance, and rightly so. I thought he was outstanding. To come in off the back of not playing at club level, Joe deserves an enormous amount of credit for that level of performance. It shows he has looked after himself. If you are going to be a Tottenham player you have to be fit at this moment in time.”
Rodon to finally get a chance?
One would genuinely feel for Rodon for his time at N17. He has hardly put a foot wrong for us but was constantly snubbed by Conte and Nuno Espirito Santo as well. This situation is not how any of us pictured his career would turn out to be after signing him from Swansea City for £11million.
Rodon did start life well under Jose Mourinho, but for some reason, he was always cast aside by the following coaches. During that period, he always used to perform for the Wales national team even when chances did not come his way at the North London club.
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Perhaps, this acknowledgement from the Tottenham coach would finally give Rodon the chance that he deserves. The Italian manager expressed in the past that he may have made a mistake with his assessment of the 24-year-old. This update could potentially mean that the boss has admitted his wrongdoing regarding the defender.
We have struggled to keep out the goals at times despite the improvements seen in the past few months. Perhaps Rodon could give us a hand should he finally get some chances in the months to come. We are hopeful to see that happen, as the centre-back’s involvement could potentially be the solution to our defensive woes.
