Newcastle should avoid loan move for Tottenham’s Joe Rodon – opinion

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Newcastle United are reportedly leading the race to sign Joe Rodon on loan in January.

The Wales international will likely be allowed to leave Tottenham temporarily, as he goes in search of first-team minutes.

And the Telegraph claim that the Magpies are the favourites to secure his signature until the end of the season. They add that Watford and Leeds are also keen, as well as suggesting that Brighton could be an option for the 24-year-old.

But it’s Newcastle leading the ‘race’ at the moment. Eddie Howe desperately needs centre-backs, as he looks to use January to save his side’s Premier League status.

The Magpies have the worst defence in the league, already conceding 41 goals. Individual errors are costing us, with Ciaran Clark’s latest disaster moment handing Manchester City the lead on Sunday.

Howe can only do so much. He needs new defenders, but is Rodon on loan what we need?

Newcastle should look elsewhere before considering Joe Rodon loan

While Newcastle need defensive reinforcements, a loan move for Rodon might not be the best option.

We’ve been linked with a plethora of centre-backs, with James Tarkowski the most heavily rumoured. Ben Mee and Sven Botman are also alleged targets.

The immediate issue at Newcastle is survival. We need to get players through the door who are going to help keep us up. But we also need players who are going to help us in the long run.

That’s why a loan move might not be wise. Tottenham likely have big plans for Rodon, and want him to go out on loan and get more Premier League experience.

If we do sign him on loan, all we’ll be doing is helping Tottenham and developing their player.

And he also doesn’t have stacks of Premier League experience. After joining Spurs in 2020, Rodon has made 13 top flight appearances, including just one this season.

Would Rodon be an improvement on what we’ve got? Possibly, but signing him would be a risk given his lack of Premier League football.

And even if things did go well, he’d merely return to Tottenham in the summer.

With plenty of money to play with, Newcastle must look elsewhere for a centre-back next month.