Joe Rodon has admitted that Jose Mourinho’s call to leave him out of Tottenham’s Europa League squad last season was ”obviously frustrating’, as he told Football London.
Despite a breakthrough campaign in Tottenham colours last season, the club’s then-manager opted to leave the Welshman out of their Europa League squad – even when they made it to the knockout stages.
It’s not like Tottenham were blessed with centre-back options and those being picked were wowing their supporters, as performances proved during the last campaign.
But, as many will already know, when Mourinho decides something then he will stick by his call, regardless.
Rodon was asked how he felt about that call, at the time, but he made it clear that he just kept ‘working hard’.
“It was obviously frustrating,” said Rodon. “I kind of understood – it was for a reason, to adapt me and get me into the group.
“Every player wants to play a lot of games, but sometimes it doesn’t go like that and the best thing I could do was just to keep my head down, keep working hard and wait for my opportunity.”
In truth, Rodon did progress under Mourinho and when Ryan Mason took charge, his game time completely shut off.
The £11 million man (BBC Sport) impressed with Wales at Euro 2020, but it seems as though it has been tough to try and breakthrough under his new boss this term.
He earned his first minutes of the season over the weekend when Eric Dier had to limp off during their defeat at Crystal Palace.
With Cristian Romero and Davinson Sanchez returning from isolation, it will be interesting to see if Rodon keeps his place in the XI.
Japhet Tanganga is suspended and Dier picked up that knock, then the above duo are due back in England 24 hours before their clash against Chelsea.
It will be interesting to see how much faith Nuno throws towards Rodon, but he has an ample chance to showcase what he is about against Rennes in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
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