Noel Whelan has urged Joe Rodon to leave Tottenham next month, amidst reports of the Magpies’ interest in the centre-back.
Rodon’s only start under Conte came in Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to NS Mura in the Europa Conference League last month.
The Italian has admitted that he sees the Wales international as cover for Eric Dier in the central sweeper role in his back three.
According to Alasdair Gold, the former Swansea man is frustrated by a lack of game time and is open to either a loan move or a permanent transfer away from Spurs in January.
The 24-year-old is alleged to be on Brighton’s radar, with Graham Potter thought to be keen on reuniting with the defender, who he worked with at Swansea.
It has also emerged recently that Newcastle have identified the Spurs man as a target as Eddie Howe’s seeks to add more quality to his backline.
Whelan believes that Rodon has been patient enough at Tottenham and needs to leave for the sake of his own career.
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When asked about Newcastle’s alleged interest in Rodon, the pundit told Football Insider: “I think if he’s not required at the club, if Conte’s decided that he’s not for him and they want to look for players he knows will improve the squad, then it’s a good move.
“He’s been lacking game time for quite a while now. You need to be playing.
“If you’re going to be involved in your international setup with Wales, there’s a play-off coming up and I’m sure he wants to be involved, he needs to be playing.
“We know Newcastle’s stats, they say that defensively they’ve been poor for two years now.
“I think he’s at the right age, he’s had that little bit of Premier League experience. If he’s available, then it’s probably not a bad move for Newcastle to go in for somebody like him.
“He’s an international, has the quality, is at a good age. He is somebody that hopefully could stop the rot at Newcastle. It could be a good fit for both.”
Spurs Web Opinion
While Eric Dier is deservedly keeping Rodon out of the starting eleven, I feel it would be a mistake for Spurs to cash in on the Welshman. A six-month loan spell at Brighton or Newcastle would be ideal for both Rodon and Tottenham.
Even if the former Swansea man does do not do well enough on loan to change Conte’s mind, he would be putting himself in the shop window, and Spurs would likely be able to get a bigger fee for him in the summer.
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