Joe Rodon is now getting the regular minutes under his belt that he craved following his summer switch from Tottenham to Rennes. Playing a bit-part role in his two years in north London, the Wales international desperately needed to secure a move away before the transfer deadline with the World Cup getting underway in November.
Heading to France and signing a season-long loan deal with Rennes, the Ligue 1 side do have the option to make his move permanent next summer. While many would have thought he would have secured another move to a Premier League club, Rodon has revealed that Wales teammates Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, who himself is now playing in France for Nice, played a part in his decision after conversations with them.
"I speak to them a lot and they give me advice and guidance along the way," explained Rodon, as reported by WalesOnline. "I am thankful for that. I can always reach out to them because they are top professionals and brilliant senior players.
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"I can only look up to them and whatever advice they give can only benefit me along the way. Of course, no player wants to be going to a World Cup, having hardly played a minute of football. As everyone is aware, I haven’t played that much over the last two years.
"I think it was really important for me and my development to be exposed and be put in a position where I play a lot of games. That will improve me and give me more confidence."
Rodon has been a regular in the Rennes team since making the switch from Tottenham at the start of August. Playing in seven of their eight Ligue 1 fixtures and both of their Europa League Group B games, the Wales international is enjoying life in France and he believes he can become a "better player and a better person" because of it.
"I’ve settled well. The first couple of weeks are obviously going to be challenging and different but as they’ve gone on, it’s got better and better," explained the centre-back.
"The French is going to take a while, I think. But football is football and I’m sure I’ll pick it up along the way. I will try my best to learn and hopefully we’ll get there.
"It’s really important for me as a player to benefit from this. Hopefully, I can become a better player and a better person."
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