Scouting: Joe Rodon

Swansea probably had high hopes going into the 2019/20 season, dreams of promotion back in to the Premier League. Instead, as coronavirus brought a close to football, they sit occupying 11th place but only 3 points away from a play-off spot in the Championship. One shining light has been 22 year old centre back Joe Rodon.

Having made his debut and going on to heavily feature for Swansea in the 2018/19 season, he has continued on an upward trend this season. Having played 1793 minutes for Swansea in the Championship this season, he's 11th in the squad for minutes played. However, Rodon's most prized asset is his passing. Both Mark van der Hoorn and Joe Rodon sit at the top of Swansea's list for pass accuracy for players with over 500 league minutes. Currently possessing a pass accuracy of 81.9% from an average 49.3 passes, which also includes 2 long balls per 90. Nearly 50 passes a game showcases Rodon's ability to dictate play from a deep position.

His defending stats are still a bit raw, only 1 tackle and 1.6 interceptions per match doesn't blow the world away. However, 5.4 clearances is rather a lot for a Swansea side who have averaged more possession than their opposition. A no nonsense defender by definition. He will be inspired by fellow countryman Daniel James' step up to Premier League football. What shouldn't come as a surprise is Joe's 3.5 succesful aerial challenges given his 6'3 stature. Having already played 3 matches for Ryan Giggs' Wales, he could be their stalwart for what could be a decade, should this curve remain exponential.

And that's not the only part Giggs' is playing in the youngster's development, having told former club Manchester United to splash a rather hefty £20m on the youngster in early May 2020. It's not secret that United are looking for a long term partner to Harry Maguire, and it would remain to be seen whether Rodon could make the massive step from the Championship to top 6 contention in the Premier League. United could definitely offer minutes for the Welshman, given Ole Gunnar's track record of giving minutes to the likes of Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams and Angel Gomes. However, £20m for a man priced at £1.8m by Transfermarkt might be a bit inflated.

What could be an interesting avenue to explore would be United purchasing Rodon and loaning him back to Swansea to expand his game for another year, rather than throwing him at the deep end. If Swansea were to get promoted this season, this would be even better, as it'd give Rodon a season of Premier League experience in already comfortable surroundings.

Alternatively, cross city rivals Manchester City could be in the market for the Welshman, given Otamendi's inconsistency and also turning 32 in recent times. Aymeric Laporte has been injured a fair amount of the season and City still haven't exactly Vincent Kompany. Joe Rodon could be given a fair amount of minutes by Pep Guardiola, and having already become accustomed to playing in a possession based side, Joe could seriously prosper under the Catalan coach.

There's also Arsenal, who must be in the market this season, given David Luiz's defensive capabilities showing serious decline in the 2019/20 season and Sokratis' pace taking a massive downturn since turning 30. There's also the need to shift serial scapegoat Shkodran Mustafi. Joe Rodon could come in to replace one of these, and given Arteta's current track record of progressing youngsters such as Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Martinelli since his appointment, Joe Rodon could go on to potentially prosper in a defensive partnership with the young William Saliba.

Perhaps staying with Swansea and pushing for promotion back to the Premier League is Rodon's true aim. Currently he's performing a level above where is at, so expect some vultures to be circling.