Opinion: Four reasons why Ryan Mason may have dropped Joe Rodon

Prior to Jose Mourinho’s sacking, Joe Rodon enjoyed a small run in the Spurs side, starting four games on the trot. However, since Ryan Mason has taken over, he has not played a single minute.

There could be a few reasons behind this, starting with Levy bullying the young English manager into certain line-up choices, and Mason making some questionable decisions of his own.

Transfer Value

Daniel Levy may have encouraged, or demanded, that Mason play Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier before the summer in a bid to raise their transfer values.

Both players have been linked with moves away from the club in recent weeks, with Dier to Roma popping up as well as Alderweireld to Club Brugge. This could also explain Dele’s return to the side.

With funds set to be tight this summer, being able to sell two current players at a higher value would certainly help in Tottenham’s quest to rebuild their defence.

Compensation Clause

Joe Rodon’s sudden drop could be for another reason as well. There could be a clause in Rodon’s contract awarding his old club a fee if he makes a certain number of appearances.

This would also explain why Rodon hasn’t been on the bench either. Levy may not want to risk Rodon coming on as a sub if Toby or Dier picks up an injury or red card.

Rodon has made 13 appearances to date for Tottenham. This could mean Rodon’s hypothetical clause is triggered at 14 or 15 appearances. Of course, this is all hearsay.

Mason Playing His Friends

Mason could also be playing his friends. The Englishman spent two years at Tottenham with Eric Dier and one year with Toby Alderweireld while part of the first-team squad.

This doesn’t account for Mason’s time spent as part of the Spurs youth coaching team which he took part in from April 2018 through April 2021 when he took charge of the first team.

In that time, he may have spent more time with Dier and Alderweireld as he is a similar age to the pair.

In this way, Mason could just be trying to preserve his relationship with Dier and Alderweireld. Mason knows he is highly unlikely to stay at Spurs beyond the end of the 20-21 season.

Mason Believes Dier and Alderweireld Are the Best CB’s At the Club

This is the most unlikely scenario. That Mason genuinely believes Eric Dier is one of the two best centre-backs at the club. I cannot see how Mason could have come to this conclusion.

Dier has made mistake upon mistake this season yet has been continually selected by both Mourinho and Mason. Perhaps there is something else going on at the club that the public is not aware of.

Regardless, Mason’s time at the club is coming to an end this weekend. With some luck, we will see new centre-backs join the club this summer, preferably under the tutelage of a new, exciting, attacking manager.

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