Daniel Farke has season-defining James Justin decision to make, and it could be harsh on Leeds ace
James Justin has been one of the breakthrough players at Leeds United over recent months but could now find himself back out of the starting lineup.
Justin, who moved from Leicester City to the Whites last summer, has started each of the last eight Premier League games for Daniel Farke’s side.
With recent absences all across the back five, the one-time England international has filled in at left and right-wing back, as well as centre-back.
He was even named captain by Farke for Leeds‘ FA Cup Fourth Round tie against Birmingham City last Saturday, playing the full 120 minutes as the West Yorkshire outfit eventually progressed through on penalties.
James Justin could face axe at Leeds
Following his summer move from Leicester, Justin struggled for game time in the early stages of the season.
Even when Farke switched to a back five, the Englishman was consistently left on the bench and restricted to a bit-part role.
However, following a Jayden Bogle calf injury at the start of January, Justin was introduced to the starting lineup at right-wing back.
When Bogle returned, injuries elsewhere meant that Justin’s minutes continued, deployed in various positions along the backline.
When Pascal Struijk returns from a hip flexor issue though, Leeds will effectively be back to full strength in defence, and Farke will have a big decision to make.
Many feel that, in the Whites’ strongest lineup, Struijk would come back in alongside Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol, with Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson on the flanks.
That would leave no space for Justin, despite his impressive recent form and run in the team.
Daniel Farke must find James Justin solution
Leeds face Aston Villa on Saturday, and while Struijk is still touch-and-go for the trip to the Midlands, at some point he will be back in the fold.
When he does return, Farke has to find some way to keep Justin in the starting lineup, whether that be at wing-back or centre-back.
Not only is the Englishman solid defensively, but he provides a real threat going forward, and has three goal contributions to his name since the beginning of the year.
Justin could have a real impact on Leeds’ Premier League survival hopes in the coming months, and his recent form has given Farke a real selection headache at the back.
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