Ryan Giggs lauds Swansea City star Joe Rodon

October 1, 2020
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from WalesOnline.com
Wales boss Ryan Giggs admits he's keen to see the likes of David Brooks and Joe Rodon in the Premier League, but insists regular game time will be the most important factor in the pair's development.
 
Rodon and Brooks are back in international contention after missing out on the previous camp due to injuiry, and have also seen their respective futures become the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks.
 
Brooks has previously been heavily linked with Leicester City this summer, and has also been talked up for Manchester United as a potential alternative to long-standing target Jadon Sancho.
 
Bournemouth are believed to have placed a valuation of around £50m on the winger, such is their belief in his talents, but there is still a growing expectation on the south coast that he will move on this summer.
 
Rodon too has been linked with a move to the top flight in this window, and was also believed to be on the radar at Old Trafford earlier in the summer.
 
Recent comments from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have suggested the Red Devils may now not be in the market for a centre-back, adding momentum to rumours linking him with West Ham United.
 
Giggs will be keeping a watchful eye on both players ahead of a crucial triple-header of international football, but admits that the opportunity to play at the top level would be beneficial to any member of his team - providing they are given regular game time.
 
Asked if he'd like to see the duo in the top flight, Giggs responded: “Yeah, ideally, you want players playing, whether that’s in the Premier League [or the Championship].
 
"We’ve always had a real mixture of players playing in the Premier League, the Championship, even League One, abroad also.
 
"You want the players playing. I’m not talking about individuals, but the higher you get the more used you are to playing at that level expected at international level.
 
"You want players playing regularly so when they turn up to camp you’re not worried about their condition or if they can play 90 minutes."
 
Brooks has, of course, already had a taste of the Premier League and its demands, but a move to the top flight would nevertheless be something of a step up for Rodon, who has so far spent a majority of his career in the second tier - a reality not lost on the Wales boss.
 
However, Giggs insists the centre-back's career is destined for an upwards trajectory.
 
“Joe made a fantastic start to his international career and then he got injured but now he’s come back and he looks really good, looks really sharp.
 
"I was really impressed when I first worked with Joe. I thought he was a fantastic player, another one with a good attitude and someone who will improve.
 
"He’ll need to improve but at the moment he looks a real talent.”
  • Related keywords: Joe Rodon, Wales, Ryan Giggs, Swansea City, Manchester United, David Brooks