An update has emerged on Tottenham centre-back Joe Rodon, regarding Brighton's interest in his services...
What's the talk?
According to The Sun, Brighton have identified Tottenham centre-back Joe Rodon as a potential replacement for Ben White this summer. Graham Potter will need to bring in a defender if one of his current stars walks out of the AMEX and it seems as though he would like to reunite with his former Swansea colleague Rodon.
The report claims that the Seagulls are ready to pursue a permanent deal for the Welsh international. However, they would also be open to signing him on loan if Spurs are unwilling to part ways with him permanently.
Fans would be gutted
Fabio Paratici must avoid making a grave error following this update. The newly-appointed chief must keep hold of Rodon and refuse to allow him to join Brighton, especially on a permanent deal. With Nuno Santo coming through the door this summer, Rodon could have a chance to stake a claim for his place in the side and the Portuguese boss' preferred formation could increase his chances of becoming a regular.
Santo lined up with three centre-backs, either in a three or a five, in 24 of Wolves' 38 Premier League matches last season and all 38 of the games in the 2019/20 campaign. This suggests that he could look to employ a similar system in North London this year, which could open the door for Rodon play as one of the three central defenders in the team.
Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld all played more minutes in the Premier League for Spurs last season, but The Sun recently claimed that the club are open to selling any of those three this summer. Therefore, Rodon could become one of the three first-choice options in that area of the park.
Earlier this year, Jose Mourinho lavished praise on “brave” Rodon and refused to blame him for making a mistake in a Premier League clash with Liverpool as his overall performance was excellent.
"He showed good personality, good concentration, was good on the ball. First half building well and going for duels. Not a coward for not to assume the duels, a brave boy to go for every duel, even against difficult opponents like they are.
Mourinho seemingly rated the £24k-per-week beast and saw potential in him at Tottenham. He did hand the centre-back 12 Premier League appearances, but opted to go with experience for the most part with a back four the most used formation for the club. This means that he was competing with Dier, Alderweireld and Sanchez for two spots in the team.
The fans would now be gutted if a promising young player is not offered the opportunity to show what he can do as part of a back three for Santo, given that the likes of Sanchez and Dier have hardly set the world alight.
Therefore, Paratici must reject any offers from Brighton - loan or permanent - for Rodon and keep him this summer. If it gets to January and he has not been able to force his way into the XI then they could reconsider their stance but for now, Rodon should stay.
AND in other news, Imagine him and Kane: Spurs must swoop for Nuno-approved beast compared to Haaland...