James Debayo in line for Leeds United debut after what BBC reporter said
Daniel Farke has been “impressed” with Leeds United ace James Debayo and shared that he could be in line for a debut versus Coventry City.
BBC journalist Adam Pope reported via X on Thursday (26 September) that Pascal Struijk is a doubt to face Coventry and, unless he trains on Friday (27 September), he won’t be available for the game.
This means that Farke could start 19-year-old Debayo next to Joe Rodon, especially since Max Wober is still sidelined [Adam Pope, 26 September].
“If Struijk doesn’t make it the options are to replace him with [Ethan] Ampadu or Debayo of whom Farke says ‘I’ve been very impressed lately’,” Pope wrote.
Pascal Struijk would be a big miss for Leeds United
Since the start of the 2024/25 season, Netherlands youth international Struijk and Rodon have managed to create a formidable partnership at the heart of Leeds’ defence.
While Struijk’s campaign last season was rather disrupted by the injury he sustained before January, he managed to come back to Farke’s squad with a bang.
He’s been on stellar form this term and while Farke may have been “impressed” with Debayo, that doesn’t mean he’ll be able to hold the same standards as the 25-year-old.
The Whites’ depth at centre-back was something that was questioned by many during the summer, including by talkSPORT presenter Faye Carruthers [17 August].
While Wober likely thought he’d be able to make the odd appearance here and there and fight for his place, his injuries have somewhat hampered his progress into the first team.
Of course, Struijk’s absence isn’t the be-all and end-all but it feels as if the club could’ve done so much more with their defensive reinforcements than what they managed to do.
Still, that could pave the way for a youngster to make a name for himself – and there is nothing Leeds fans love more than that.
In other Leeds news, Ilia Gruev could be axed from the Whites’ alongside one other teammate v Coventry.
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