Jose Mourinho has praised Joe Rodon after the Tottenham defender kept a clean sheet in his first Premier League start.
Rodon started alongside Eric Dier at centre-back against Chelsea on Sunday and helped Spurs keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge to remain top of the table.
However, the Welshman got away with two mistakes that were almost costly.
In the first half he surrendered possession in a dangerous area leading to a disallowed Timo Werner goal, and at the death his misplaced a header that Oliver Giroud latched onto – only to miss from close range.
But after the game, Mourinho suggested Dier made more mistakes than Rodon, who he was more than pleased with.
“I’m very happy with Joe, very happy with the profile, and to be with my amazing coaching staff – Joao [Sacramento], Ledley [King], all these guys – coaching and teaching these guys, and working with Joe has been a pleasure,” Mourinho said (via Football London).
“I just feel sorry he can’t play in the Europa League because it would be a great level of experience for him, and I believe the biggest game he played before this one was Championship play-offs and a Wales national team match, so I’m very pleased that he could come here and for 90 minutes he made one mistake.
“Dier made more mistakes than him, especially in ball possession, so I’m very happy with my team, very happy with my guys, very happy with this mentality – that we come to Stamford Bridge, we get a point, we are top of the league, and we are not happy.”
Dier’s mistakes went a bit unnoticed. He was sloppy on the ball at times and he almost gifted Tammy Abraham an easy chance in the second half.
But it should be noted that Mourinho isn’t calling Dier out here – he is simply standing up for Rodon. I’m sure Dier can take it.
Both Dier and Rodon are likely to be rested against LASK in the Europa League on Thursday night with a view to starting in the north London derby this weekend.
rodon is of course not eligible for that match but whilst he did very well his two bad mistakes could have so easily led to goals and i think sissoko deserves a lot of credit for the way that he covered the right flank with aurier — that said he seems well below last years form
i know ndomele has good feet but i still see very little end product and i am not sure if he really adds a lot to the team and talk of him being on the same level as son and kane are very wide of reality
You are some kind of fan. You need to understand first what the heck you are talking about. He is the same kind of player like Dembele. Good with the ball at their feet and maneuver well in tight spaces. Neither are #10 or attacking midfielders and while they command attention with the ball, their forte is not splitting defense with passes. Tanguy in this team is on the job training. Trying to be creative and holding down the 10 spot. Don’t be over critical before knowing the player. The closest we come to having a creative mid is Lamela and Gio. Erikssen was the last time we had a genuine one. Harvey white seems to be a good one, but needs game and time.