Exclusive:'I don't think' - Nico Elvedi claim made by ex-Leeds United defender Stephen Warnock after Joe Rodon injury
Stephen Warnock has delivered a verdict on Leeds United defender Nico Elvedi
The presence of Nico Elvedi will have stopped Leeds United manager Daniel Farke panicking about Joe Rodon’s injury, believes ex-Whites defender Stephen Warnock.
Rodon has been an almost ever-present for Leeds across the last three years, amassing 139 appearances and establishing himself as one of Farke’s most trusted lieutenants.
The 28-year-old rarely succumbs to injury but faces up to 10 weeks out after picking up a hamstring problem.
Elvedi, a summer acquisition from Borussia Mönchengladbach, has deputised in Rodon’s absence and looked reassuringly comfortable.
.jpeg?trim=64,0,202,0&width=640&quality=65)
Stephen Warnock on Nico Elvedi
Warnock told The Yorkshire Post: “I think he’ll have to step up, especially with Joe Rodon coming off the pitch with a hamstring injury. So, with Rodon out for a long period of time, it is a perfect opportunity for Elvedi to stake his claim.
“The important thing is though that Leeds have brought in a very experienced player, he’s played for Switzerland at the World Cup and he knows the game inside out, so I don’t think Daniel Farke will be panicking with Joe Rodon out because he knows he’s got a very good player stepping in.
“He played really well when he came on against Brentford, he looked comfortable when he came on the pitch, and it was a very quick, frantic game – but he looked very calm on the ball.”
Nico Elvedi’s fresh start at Leeds United
Elvedi ended a lengthy association with Mönchengladbach to link up with the Whites, reuniting with his former boss Farke.
The 29-year-old was also familiar with Whites winger Noah Okafor having played with him on the international stage with Switzerland.
After putting pen to paper in LS11, Elvedi said: “I talked with Noah a little bit and he just told me good things about the club and the fans so, yeah, I am happy. We talked at the World Cup about this club.
“I talked with the manager, I know him as well and, yeah, he is also a big point for this change. It was just one year but I loved to have him as a manager. I learned a lot from him and I will learn a lot now.”