Jose Mourinho has explained why he has chosen to hand Joe Rodon his first Premier League start in Tottenham Hotspur's big derby at Chelsea.
The 23-year-old Welshman joined Spurs last month from Championship side Swansea in an £11m deal during the domestic transfer window.
Rodon has already come off the bench late on against Burnley and then replacing the injured Toby Alderweireld for the final 10 minutes of the victory against Manchester City last weekend.
Now he gets the chance, ahead of Davinson Sanchez, to make his full Tottenham debut at Stamford Bridge in another big game against an in-form Chelsea side.
Mourinho explained why he had no qualms in handing the Wales international his first Premier League start against such opposition.
"He's a good player. He came to us and if he came to us it's because we trust him," he told Sky Sports.
"There is always a first time. When you come from smaller clubs, from lower divisions, there's always a first time. For him the first time is also a big match, but it's also a great opportunity for him.
"Of course we were very stable with Toby, and Toby's experience and he was playing very well together with Eric [Dier], but injuries are always part of the problems that we have to face in the league and we believe that Joe can perform."
