Summary
After defeating Leeds 1-0 in the Championship play-off final, the Saints have secured their return to the Premier League.
Joe Rodon would be an excellent asset to Southampton’s defense in the Premier League.
Rodon’s contract situation and remarkable statistics render him a desirable target for the Saints this summer.
Adam Armstrong’s 24th-minute goal secured Southampton’s victory over Leeds United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
A one-on-one shooting opportunity was presented to the 27-year-old hotshot by Ethan Ampadu’s mistake in defense for the Whites. He promptly fired the ball past Illan Meslier from a narrow angle.
The Saints ultimately prevailed and have successfully accomplished their objective of regaining entry into the Premier League, a feat that Leeds were unable to accomplish on Sunday.
However, in order to remain in the top tier, the Hampshire team must complete a significant amount of work during the summer transfer window, as manager Russell Martin enters his inaugural season as a Premier League manager.
Southampton’s squad is gifted, and they have several players who have previously played in the top division. However, in order to maintain their reclaimed top-flight status, they will need to bolster their ranks in the upcoming weeks and months.
The Saints would benefit from signing Joe Rodon.
Martin has a strong team of defenders at his disposal, and his promotion to the Premier League will result in Taylor Harwood-Bellis’s permanent stay at St Mary’s. Additionally, the Saints are now well-positioned to retain the services of Kyle Walker-Peters, who had previously been linked with a return to his former club Tottenham Hotspur by GiveMeSport.
However, Rodon is a central defender who would unquestionably bolster the Saints’ defense. Following his loan stint with Leeds, it is possible that he may not remain at Elland Road following the Whites’ failure to secure promotion.
Martin’s philosophy of playing out from the back is well-suited to the Wales international, and in the 2023/24 Championship campaign, he maintained an impressive pass accuracy of 90.8%, as reported by FotMob.
| Joe Rodon 2023/24 Championship stats | All stats according to FotMob |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 43 |
| Starts | 42 |
| Tackles won (%) | 70.8 |
| Duels won (%) | 67.8 |
| Aerial duels won (%) | 67 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 90.8 |
Additionally, Wales Online reports that the 26-year-old has one year remaining on his contract with his parent club, Spurs. Consequently, the Saints may opt to acquire him on a permanent basis or on a loan.
Rodon’s performances at Elland Road this season have shown that he is a level above the Championship, despite the fact that he has only made 15 Premier League appearances since joining the north London outfit in 2020. The Saints should capitalize on the Whites’ failure to secure promotion.
A transfer to St Mary’s would be a mutually beneficial arrangement for the former Swansea City player. Martin is in need of bolstering his team in preparation for his inaugural Premier League campaign as a manager, and Rodon is eager to play first-team football in the top tier, a privilege that Spurs have rarely been able to provide him.
The Saints’ acquisition of Joe Rodon would be a disappointing development for Leeds fans.
Rodon was an exceptional player for the West Yorkshire team during his 2023/24 loan period; however, it concluded in a disappointing manner with a loss in the play-off final.
The Wales international played the entire 90 minutes for Daniel Farke’s team in all three of their play-off games and made 43 Championship appearances for the Whites. This demonstrates the high regard in which he has been held by all parties involved with Leeds.
Rodon’s signing for the Saints would leave Whites supporters with a bitter flavor in their mouths, as they were defeated in a narrow play-off victory to secure Premier League promotion.
However, Martin and his colleagues would be making a wise business decision by bringing Rodon to St. Mary’s, as it would establish the tone for their continued success in the top tier.