Joe Rodon may have only played a couple of minutes for Leeds in the last 10 weeks, but he is set to be tasked with marking Erling Haaland in Cymru’s penultimate Nations League game in Oslo.
Photo credit: FAW.
“He’s been training for the last few weeks. Of course that’s not the same as games but Joe is quite robust”.
Bellamy was certainly very positive about Rodon and his potential availability. As Wales completed an impressive victory over Haaland and co in Cardiff in September, Ben Cabango produced probably his finest international appearance to keep Haaland isolated and quiet.
65 goals in 59 internationals is an insane return by the Manchester City striker. Obviously it wasn’t just down to Cabango but a disciplined team performance to starve him of possession and opportunities. Captain Ben Davies playing a key role ensure the defence took a brave high line in order stop the service into Haaland.
But, Cabango is suspended for the clash in Oslo. Chris Mepham is the only other fit centre back so for Bellamy it’s a toss up between the West Brom man and Rodon.
Captain Ben Davies was certainly happy to see his long time partner in crime return to the squad. “Yea, it’s good to have him back, the squad doesn’t feel the same when he’s not in it”.
The pairing has been forged across club football and of course the international game. They both came through the Swansea academy, played at Spurs as part of the so-called “Welsh Mafia” and when they’re seen together for Wales the RedWall feel a certain calmness.
A right foot-left foot combination, the 6-foot-tall Rodon dominating physically while Davies’ superb football brain sees him mop up danger and drive forward with the ball if opposition teams switch off and allow too much space.
It’s now down to Bellamy and whether he believes that Rodon can be thrown back into the heat of the battle with such little game time.