Wales are aiming to qualify for a third successive European Championship and a fourth major tournament in five over the next week and will come into the match against Finland – the team ranked 60 in the current World Rankings as firm favourites.
26-year-old Rodon, now plying his trade on loan from Tottenham Hotspur at Leeds United in the English Championship is amongst several members of the squad in and around the 50 cap mark.
A key member of Rob Page’s side, Rodon was part of the squad that played in the delayed European Championships in 2021 and played every minute of Wales’ World Cup campaign in Qatar in 2022.
Rodon joins up with club teammates Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu and Dan James who will hit the milestone against the Fins.
Along with international captain and Tottenham colleague Ben Davies, the quartet will provide the spine for Wales’ challenge, mixed in with the likes of the exciting youthful exuberance of Birmingham midfielder Jordan James.
Rodon feels after a period of transition the right balance of youth and experience is starting to bear fruit and thinks Wales are well equipped to make the finals in June.
“We lost superstars like Gareth Bale and Joe Allen [through international retirement in 2022] and it was always going to be difficult for the group, said Rodon.
“I don’t think I can speak highly enough of Gaz and Joe. They are icons of Welsh football and the game as well, and it’s going to have an impact on any team.
“We’ve got though players coming up to 50 caps now who have been around quite a bit and have that experience in tournaments.
“It’s not new to us that we’re in situations like this. There’s a really good balance in the group and a good amount of experience.”
Rodon himself and others in the Wales squad have struggled in recent times in the build-up to matches for minutes on the pitch.
This time around, however, the core figures within the national team have been finding form at the right time with promotion-chasing Leeds, Ipswich and Southampton in the Championship likely to provide a majority of Thursday night’s starting line-up.
“Over the last couple of years it’s been sticky and I’ve not had the game time I’ve wanted,” continued Rodon.
“I settled in quickly [at Leeds] and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve been playing every week and that’s only going to give you more confidence.
“I’m in a really good place physically and mentally. But it’s not just at Leeds, most of the players are players are playing regularly.
“For Wales, that’s really important and maybe the first time we’ve had that for a while. It’s only going to help.”
“Being in Cardiff is always going to help us. The Red Wall has always been our 12th man and that is going to push us on to the end.”
[Lead image: Football Association of Wales]
