Joe Rodon says he did not have a close personal relationship with the managers during his time at Tottenham.
There was plenty of excitement about Rodon’s arrival at Tottenham back in 2020, with the centre-back having been widely thought of as one the best young defenders in the Championship during his time at Swansea.
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Although the Welshman did show glimpses of promise, especially during his first season at Spurs, he never quite managed to get regular game time at the North London club.
The centre-back was shipped out on loan to Rennes last season and he has now returned to the Championship on a temporary deal as he attempts to help Leeds bounce straight back up to the top flight.
Rodon matured with a lack of manager relationship
The 25-year-old worked with three different managers at Tottenham in Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte, but he admitted that he did not really have a close bond with any of them as he did at the Liberty Stadium.
Rodon told Leeds’ official podcast: “At Swansea, I did have a close relationship with the manager, but when I went to Spurs it was kind of on your own, I learnt a lot in that period. It is more on your own and by yourself.
“I think coming back here, coming to Leeds, and having the manager has been brilliant with me since I have been through the door and it’s nice to have that relationship again. To feel like you are part of it and want it.
“At Tottenham, I think I learned to become a man in the environment and handling being on my own and maturing that side.”
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Rodon appears to be a confidence player who needs an arm around his shoulder. He evidently struggled to showcase his best when he did not feel trusted by the manager.
While he is perhaps not good enough for a team with Champions League aspirations, he now has a chance to prove himself again at Elland Road and potentially work his way up to the Premier League next season.
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