The centre-back confessed that his time at Tottenham Hotspur left him feeling underused, likening himself to a car left sitting idle for years.

Joe Rodon joined Tottenham Hotspur from Swansea City in the summer of 2020 with a strong reputation, but he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under the various managers at the North London club. The centre-back later spent time on loan at Rennes and Leeds United, with his spell at Leeds proving especially productive, leading to a permanent move in 2024.

Leeds paid £10 million to secure Rodon’s services from Spurs, a fee that has looked good value given his impact so far. The Wales international was a key figure in Leeds’ Championship title-winning campaign last season, playing an important role as they cruised to promotion.

Now 28, Rodon has continued to impress in the Premier League, forming a solid presence at the heart of Leeds’ defence. He has since reflected on how his lack of game time at Tottenham has left him feeling refreshed despite an intense period at Elland Road.

Speaking to The Athletic, Rodon said: “When I went to Spurs, I look at it like this… you buy a new car, and I felt like I was just sitting in a garage for four years, not being used. Now at Leeds, I feel fresh. The last three years have been full-on, but I still feel fresh. It’s like I’m making up for the time I missed during that period.”

Rodon’s frustration over limited opportunities at Spurs is understandable, particularly given the frequent managerial changes during his time at the club. However, it is also true that he never truly made a standout impression, and his loan spells did little to suggest he was ready to play regularly for a team pushing for European qualification.

That said, Leeds currently sit just three points behind Tottenham in the Premier League table, and Rodon may yet enjoy a sense of vindication if he ends the season finishing above his former club.