Leeds United are starting to finally see Joe Rodon become a menace from set pieces, scoring three for club and country since September.
Leeds are sitting in a strong position as things stand following a massive home win against West Ham on Friday night.
Three wins from nine games, plus two draws, gives United a respectable tally that stands them in good stead for survival this season.
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Joe Rodon continues impressive Premier League form with another Leeds United goal
Leeds had to wait around one-and-a-half seasons for Joe Rodon’s first goal, thumping in a header from a Joe Rothwell corner against Derby County in December 2024.
His set-piece threat has since transformed since promotion, scoring twice on Wales duty since June, while netting a further two in the Premier League so far.
Leeds’ and the Premier League’s shift towards a heavy focus on set pieces has directly benefitted Rodon. The Welshman’s header versus Bournemouth was his first in the top flight, before scoring what was the deciding goal against West Ham.
Leeds United’s Joe Rodon is on two Premier League goals so far. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)
Sky Sports share Joe Rodon stat – Leeds United star miles clear of Premier League rivals
Rodon’s newfound confidence and output from attacking set pieces is reflected well in the stats too. Sky Sports have broken down some interesting talking points from the Premier League so far, which includes Leeds’ imperious centre-back.
They share that Rodon is miles clear of the rest of the Premier League when it comes to making the ‘first contact’ from offensive set pieces.
So far, Rodon has made first contact from nine corners this season, which is four more than the next best:
Player Club ‘First contacts’ fromoffensive corners
Joe Rodon Leeds United 9
Dan Ballard Sunderland 5
Lewis Dunk Brighton 5
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 5
Erling Haaland Manchester City 5
Ibrahima Konate Liverpool 5
Malick Thiaw Newcastle United 5
Leandro Trossard Arsenal 5
Joe Rodon is somehow one of Leeds United’s most potent goal threats
All of a sudden, Rodon has gone from being one of Leeds’ least obvious routes to goal, to being one of the most potent.
It underlines the whole league’s huge emphasis on marginal gains through dead ball situations, and when you’ve got a force of nature like Rodon, you have to take advantage.
Credit also has to go to Sean Longstaff in capitalising on our corners, because his deliveries have been marvellous on either side.
Going into this season, you would not have predicted Longstaff corners to Rodon’s head would be a consistent avenue to goal.
Read more: Joe Rodon and Brenden Aaronson named in BBC’s PL Team of the Week…