New manager Steve Cooper might provide Leicester City with additional pulling power after the club was connected with a former player of his. After Leicester City transfer rumors to Joe Rodon surfaced earlier this week, the club’s appointment of Steve Cooper as manager adds an intriguing element to that potential transaction. Rodon, 26, is now with Tottenham Hotspur. He impressed while on loan at Leeds United last season, but their failure to gain promotion to the Premier League has apparently jeopardised the prospect of a permanent move, with the Foxes and two other newly promoted teams said to be interested.
Furthermore, if Leicester required any additional clout in this transfer battle with their opponents, Cooper in the dugout could not have been a better fit. The 44-year-old was the one who gave his fellow Welshman a breakthrough season in the Championship while they were both at Swansea City, a choice that eventually drew the attention of Spurs scouts.
Cooper talked highly of his central defender at the time, and his previous words now paint a clearer image of the player Leicester fans may see wearing the club’s blue uniform in the not-too-distant future. “I believe Joe is a key player for us. He has had a great start to the season, and the exciting thing about Joe is that he is only going to grow better,” Cooper told Swanseacity.com, adding: “I really believe in his potential. “He is a right-footed centre-back who plays on the left, demonstrating his ball-playing ability. He accepts immense responsibility, both with and without the ball, and he will only flourish in this setting.
“I think he’s a great player, and I’m enjoying working with him. He adores Swansea and enjoys playing for the football club. He is proud to represent the club and consistently gives his all.It’s an honour to work with him and the boys every day since they simply want to grow and help their teammates. Joe is a great illustration of that. If he continues as he is, only wonderful things will come for him with the club and country.”
Several years later, the 26-year-old is proving his former coach’s vision true, as he finished last season in the second division in the 95th percentile for passes attempted and completed. Ange Postecoglou has stated that Rodon is now surplus to requirements in North London, thus any rivalry approaches will ultimately come down to Rodon’s decision, raising the question of whether his former links to Cooper or Leeds are stronger.
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