Wales defender Joe Rodon is relishing the duty of facing off in opposition to England captain Harry Kane as the 2 groups meet within the World Cup on Tuesday night time.
Rodon and his Welsh teammates have dissatisfied on the event to this point in Qatar, taking just one level from two video games in opposition to the United States and Iran, and face elimination from the competitors in the event that they fail to beat their British rivals. Even then, their destiny would depend upon the opposite consequence within the group.
There has been some doubt about whether or not Kane ought to characteristic from the beginning in opposition to Wales with England snug in Group B and set for the knockout phases except they remarkably lose by a four-goal margin. But Rodon, who performed with Kane at Tottenham earlier than going out on mortgage to Rennes firstly of the season, is up for the challenge of facing what he calls a world class striker.
“I’ve played against him maybe a million times in training. He is a top player, one of the best in the world,” Rodon stated of Kane.
“Training with these players for the last couple of seasons has improved me as a player. In a competitive game it is going to be another big challenge – he is a top player who has done it for many years and I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to train with players like this.
“It goes to be an excellent challenge for me and one I’m very enthusiastic about. He is a superb finisher with each ft – he is scored many targets and is a world class striker.”
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Rodon is spending the season on loan with Ligue 1 club Rennes, who have the option to make the deal permanent should they wish as part of the deal. But another player Rodon used to play with at Tottenham, Gareth Bale, will line up alongside the centre back as Wales fight for their lives to stay in their first World Cup in 64 years on Tuesday night.
The two have a strong relationship, and Wales will need to display unity and togetherness if they are to get a result against England – especially in light of the last two results and the criticism the likes of Bale has taken because of the performances in Qatar. But Rodon insists Bale plays a crucial part in taking the edge off in pressure situations in camp – to Wales’ advantage.
“He is a superstar and I think me knowing him, what he is like, he is always joking around,” Rodon stated of the Wales captain. “Him being the participant he’s, he at all times takes the stress off the group.
“You have seen he has delivered time and time once more. For us to have him as a rustic it’s unbelievable – we’re delighted to have him and hopefully we could have him for a few years.
“We all know what he is capable of as a player and we look up to him and respect him.”