Leeds United beat Leicester on Sunday thanks to a number of impressive performances, and Pascal Struijk was one player who stood out to fans.
It has been a bit of an up and down season for the 21-year-old, who is enjoying a breakthrough season at Elland.
He has faced difficulties in the defensive midfield position but now seems to be getting to grips with life at centre-back in the Premier League.
That’s his natural position and against Leicester he proved how good he can be there.
He made the most clearances of any Leeds player( 5) while also making two tackles and four interceptions (WhoScored).
The fact he kept an in-form James Maddison relatively quiet also highlights how effective he was alongside Liam Cooper.
The Dutchman showed great calm and confidence, too, as his head could easily have dropped when Leicester scored early on.
He deserves a lot of credit for the manner in which he has come into the team.
Last Tuesday he was drafted in to play against Newcastle following Diego Llorente’s injury, and he barely put a foot wrong.
Struijk could do nothing about their goal and achieved an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.3.
We can see him continuing at centre-back now and could even stake a regular spot there with Robin Koch and Llorente out for another few weeks.
It is no wonder supporters are impressed with Struijk’s recent displays, and praise was sent his way following the final whistle on Sunday.
He looks class at centre back and out of position in midfield. Anyone who judged him on Cardiff was being stupid
— Jamie Smith (@JamieS1507) January 31, 2021
Big potential at CB. Far too slow for DM in this system at this level.
— Elliott (@elliott_benn) January 31, 2021
Undoubtedly a fantastic prospect at CB, not a midfielder
— JC (@jack_considine) January 31, 2021
Always a fan at CB, not at CDM
— Talk About Leeds 🏆 (@talkaboutlufc) January 31, 2021
First half was abit wasteful with his clearing the ball but I thought him and Cooper second half were amasing
— Amy (@Amy18203255) January 31, 2021
Struijk was immense at CB yesterday btw 👏🏻 #LUFC
— Brad Leaney (@Leaney_B) February 1, 2021
Mentioned it earlier, but deserves to be said again that Struijk played excellent again today. Doing a solid job at the back as well as putting himself further up the field. 21 years old? Playing under Bielsa in the Premier League. Lads got a future 👌🏻
— Leanne Judge 💙⚽️💛 (@LeanneJudgeUK) January 31, 2021
Man of match for me today
— Glenn Bugge (@Buggey20) January 31, 2021
In other Leeds United news, View: Rodrigo & Raphinha out, Bielsa to give 20yo first PL start: Predicted Leeds XI v Everton.
