Leeds United are using the current international break to regroup and evaluate their performance, following a mixed start to the Premier League under manager Daniel Farke. Despite securing two wins, the recent 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur highlighted areas of concern for the team.
Some individuals, such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Mathys Tel, and Gabriel Gudmundsson, faced criticism for their performances in the match against Spurs. Calvert-Lewin, in particular, struggled to convert his chances, while Gudmundsson had a tough time defending against the opposition.
However, despite these issues, both Calvert-Lewin and Gudmundsson have shown promise in previous matches and are likely to retain their starting positions after the international break. The same cannot be said for Pascal Struijk, a long-serving player at Leeds who has been under scrutiny for his recent performances, including two deflected goals against Spurs.
Struijk’s inconsistent showings and his shaky presence in defense have raised concerns among fans and journalists, with doubts about his ability to perform consistently at the Premier League level. Jaka Bijol, a significant summer signing for Leeds, has been waiting for his opportunity to showcase his talent and could potentially replace Struijk in the starting lineup.
Bijol, known for his strong defensive presence and clean sheet record in Serie A, offers a competitive option for Farke to strengthen the team’s defense. As Struijk’s form continues to be scrutinized, the potential inclusion of Bijol in the squad could provide Leeds with added defensive stability and help avoid a potential relegation threat.
