David Woods

Tue 3 November 2020 12:31, UK

The loss of Kalvin Phillips is always a conundrum for Leeds United and manager Marcelo Bielsa. 

With extra cover at the back from summer transfers, the thinking was that Robin Koch could step up this season leaving Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente at the back.

However, Phillips’ injury this time round coincided with Llorente being sidelined too and that has had knock-on effects that Bielsa still hasn’t solved.

1. Struijk v Villa – lasted 20 minutes 

21-year-old Pascal Struijk came in against Aston Villa and looked like he was heading for an early bath after a rash challenge against Jack Grealish and another borderline yellow soon after. Bielsa didn’t wait to see if he’d calm down but hooked him off, put Jamie Shackleton on and pulled Mateusz Klich back into holding midfield. That worked brilliantly with Leeds running gout 3-0 winners.

2. Shackleton v Leicester – lasted 45 minutes

The Leicester game was very different, thanks to the threat of Jamie Vardy. Bielsa stuck with the Shackleton/Klich combo but it backfired and Leicester strolled to a 2-0 lead at half-time that could have been worse. Bielsa put Ian Poveda on at half-time but Klich really struggled in the holding midfield role. The change put Leeds in the ascendancy but when Pablo Hernandez was taken off it all fell apart.

3. Struijk v Crystal Palace?

We think that Struijk has to be recalled for the game on Saturday. Palace have seen the last three games Leeds have played – against Wolves, Aston Villa and Leicester. They’re almost guaranteed to sit back, soak up the pressure and try to hit us on the counter through Wilfried Zaha. There’s just no way they go toe-to-toe with us but they don’t have anyone as elite at drawing and winning fouls as Jack Grealish. Struijk can do the job that he was brought in to do against Villa. He’s good with both feet and he’s way more defensive-minded than Klich.

In other Leeds United news, Bielsa reacts as Pablo Hernandez furious after being subbed for Leeds v Leicester