Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has been criticised by Wales boss Rob Page for the lack of game time given to defender Joe Rodon at Spurs.
Rodon signed for Spurs in October 2020, but never managed to establish himself in the first team, despite early promise. The Welsh defender has made just 24 appearances for the North London side (Transfermarkt).
Since Conte’s arrival at Tottenham back in November 2021, Rodon has found himself on the peripheries of the Spurs squad more and more. He joined French side Rennes on a season-long loan this summer (TottenhamHotspur.com).
Reports suggest that move could be made permanent too, with Football.London citing a £16.7 million purchase option as part of the agreement.
Despite scoring a goal early in his Rennes career, Rodon has since been criticised for a poor performance against Troyes on September 6, with French outlet Maxi Foot giving the defender a 4/10 score for his display.
His international career has been far more plain sailing though, with 27 caps to his name already (Transfermarkt). Rodon is clearly a big part of Wales boss Rob Page’s plans as he prepares for the imminent World Cup this winter.
Speaking to The Independent, Page was critical of Antonio Conte’s usage of Rodon during his reign, and claimed he ‘hated’ seeing the defender sitting on the Spurs bench.
He said: “I hated seeing Joe on the bench every week because he’s such a wonderful talent. I’ve worked with him for years with the U21’s and seen his potential. There’s better to come. Going out to play games now will help him achieve that.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I really like Joe Rodon. I think he’s a solid ball-playing defender who has a lot of potential still to develop his game and become a top centre-back.
It’s great to see him getting the chance to show what he can do out in France, and I’m sure he will impress again on the international stage.
Whether he has a future at Spurs or not remains to be seen, but I would love to see him get an opportunity to learn from Antonio Conte at some point.
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