Steve Cooper has already given thumbs up to Leicester City transfer target after Sunderland deal was rejected
New manager Steve Cooper could provide Leicester City with extra pulling power after the club were linked with a former player of his
After Leicester City transfer links to Joe Rodon emerged earlier this week, the club’s appointment of Steve Cooper as manager adds an interesting factor to that potential piece of business.
Rodon, 26, is currently on the books at Tottenham Hotspur. He impressed whilst on loan at Leeds United last season although their failure to win promotion to the Premier League has now reportedly jeopardised the prospect of a permanent move there, as the Foxes and the two other newly-promoted teams are now rumoured to hold interest.
What’s more, if Leicester needed any more pulling power in this transfer tussle against their rivals then they could not have made a more perfect addition than Cooper in the dugout.
The 44-year-old was the one to hand his fellow Welshman a breakout campaign in the Championship while both with Swansea City – a decision that ultimately saw him noticed by Spurs scouts.
During that era Cooper spoke incredibly highly of his central defender, with his past comments now providing a clearer picture of the player Leicester supporters could see pull on the club’s blue strip in the not-so distant future.
“I think Joe is a big player for us. He has had a very good start to the season, and the exciting thing with Joe is he is only going to get better,” Cooper told swanseacity.com, adding: “I really believe in his potential.
“He is a right-footed centre-back playing on the left, which just shows his quality of how he can play with the ball. He is taking great responsibility, with and without the ball, and he is only going to grow in this environment.
“I think he is a really good player and I am enjoying working with him. He loves Swansea, he loves playing for the football club. He is proud to represent the club – those are his words not mine – and he is giving his all day in and day out.
“It’s a real honour to work with him and the guys every day as they only want to improve and support their team-mates. Joe is a fantastic example of that. If he keeps going as he only good things will happen for him with club and country.”
Several years on the 26-year-old is proving his former coach’s vision correct, as last season in the second division he ranked in the 95th percentile for passes attempted and passes completed.
Now said to be deemed surplus to requirements in North London by Ange Postecoglou, any rivalling approaches will ultimately come down to Rodon’s decision, so the question could be are his past ties to Cooper or Leeds stronger?
