Former Coventry City and Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes that Tottenham Hotspur should not consider sending Joe Rodon out on loan during the January transfer window.
The Welsh international moved to North London last October on a five-year deal for an initial £11m plus add-ons from Swansea City (BBC).
The central defender only made 19 appearances in all competitions last season with his game time having been somewhat limited after being overlooked for Spurs’ Europa League squad by Jose Mourinho (transfermarkt).
He came back into favour under the Portuguese prior to his dismissal, starting the last four Premier League matches of his tenure.
Rodon has also struggled for regular first-team football this season, partly due to injury and has made just three appearances for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. He came off the bench to replace an injured Eric Dier in the defeat at Crystal Palace and his only two starts have come in the Europa Conference League.
Whelan told Football Insider when asked if a loan should be considered: “No, absolutely not.
“He’s a quality centre half and right now we’re still seeing Tottenham shipping goals. We don’t know whether there’s going to be suspension or injuries.
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“Doing that, you’re lessening and weakening your side to benefit somebody else. Absolutely not. I think you want to see players like that at the club.
“They bring out the best in other defenders and bring out the best in him. You want to see players fight for their position and that’s what the manager wants as well.
“Internationally, it will not change anything. He will still get called up because he’s one of the best defenders in the Wales squad.
“He’s getting that game time in Europe, as long as they stay in that competition, and the other cup competitions.
“There’s nothing to say he won’t fight his way back into that first-team reckoning at Tottenham. Look, it’s about Tottenham first and international second.”
SpursWeb Opinion
There is no way that Spurs should be looking to send Rodon out on loan, the Welshman has hardly had a chance to impress this season and could comfortably become Cristian Romero’s central defensive partner week in, week out ahead of Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez.
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