Fed-up star turns back on Conte after convincing self ‘100%’ of Tottenham transfer decision

Samuel Bannister 05 Mar 2022 10:00 AM

Joe Rodon has made a definitive decision on his Tottenham Hotspur future after being continually overlooked by Antonio Conte, according to a report.

Tottenham signed Joe Rodon from Championship side Swansea City in October 2020. However, his impact has been limited. Only 12 Premier League appearances came in his debut season and just one has followed this term. That was before Conte took charge.

Some members of the Spurs squad reportedly feel Conte should be giving the Wales international more of a chance. But it appears the damage has already been done. According to Football Insider, Rodon wants to leave Tottenham in the summer.

In fact, he is convinced quitting would be the right choice and has “100%” made his mind up.

Tottenham will therefore have to try and find a buyer for the 24-year-old, whom they have under contract until 2025.

Rodon is behind Eric Dier, Cristian Romero, Davinson Sanchez, Ben Davies and Japhet Tanganga in the pecking order for a place in Conte’s back three. At his age, he cannot afford to be so far down the hierarchy.

Therefore, he now has decided to leave Tottenham in the summer. Of course, the club must agree to his exit. Some options fell through for him in January, so he will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that scenario.

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During the winter, Rodon was linked with the likes of Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion. It remains to be seen if their interest is still alive.

Conte wants to sign different defender

Tottenham, for their part, will take the opportunity to reinvest in their defence. Signings will be important to appease head coach Conte, who has already been showing signs of some dissatisfaction with the club’s dealings.

He insists he is happy at Spurs ahead of the final season of the contract he agreed to in November. However, it will be up to managing director of football, Fabio Paratici, to bolster Conte’s squad to keep him that way.

Finding a new defender is on the agenda, a move that would only decrease Rodon’s prospects. Therefore, it is clear in his mind that he needs to get out of Tottenham while he can.

Only time will tell whether Tottenham have any chance of recouping their £11m investment.

Joe Rodon needs move to keep international hopes up

Back in December, Wales manager Rob Page told Rodon he should consider leaving Tottenham, or risk losing his place with the national team.

“Joe is an unbelievable talent and rightly so got a move to a big Premier League club in Tottenham,” the manager told The Sun.

“But now he understands he might have to move on and play games of football because we want our best players playing week in, week out.

“Then when they turn up and play against the Belgiums of this world, if they are playing in the Premier League week in, week out then it’s not a culture for them.

“They are used to the standard and the movement of [Romelu] Lukaku or the physicality and demands that top class football brings.

“That’s where we want our players.”

Rodon will now have to work out where he will be playing his football next season if Tottenham sell him. Before then, Wales have a World Cup play-off match later this month.

Should they make it to the tournament, Rodon will want to be representing his nation in Qatar. By then, though, he may be representing a different team at club level.

Tottenham Hotspur Joe Rodon