Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Thu 23 April 2026 16:40, UK

Pascal Struijk served a timely reminder of why it would be foolish to sell him this summer after a superb performance for Leeds United against Bournemouth.

In late September, Leeds were cruelly denied a deserved victory over Bournemouth when Eli Kroupi scored a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Elland Road.

On Wednesday night, there was a bit of poetic justice for Leeds. Daniel Farke‘s side looked to be heading to a deserved defeat before Sean Longstaff volleyed in a 97th-minute leveller to secure another 2-2 draw against the Cherries.

The result took Leeds to the 40-point mark with four games to go, with many Whites fans confidently predicting they will stay in the Premier League for another season.

Struijk has been the subject of transfer speculation but the Leeds star outshone his fellow centre-backs Jaka Bijol, Joe Rodon, and James Justin. Letting him go would be a costly mistake.

Pascal Struijk stands tall vs Bournemouth

According to Sofascore, Struijk made 19 defensive contributions, including two shots, three recoveries, and a couple of tackles against Bournemouth.

The 26-year-old had a passing accuracy of 85 per cent, which jumped up to 89 per cent in his own half, and got Leeds out of a number of close shaves at Vitality Stadium.

Not only is he blossoming into a very effective Premier League-quality defender, Struijk provides much-needed balance in Leeds’ defence.

His absence was keenly felt when Bijol, Rodon, and Sebastiaan Bornauw lined up against Chelsea on 10 February, as Farke’s side struggled without a left-footed defender.

But against Bournemouth, Rodon looked rusty when he came on in the second half after recovering from an ankle injury.

Bijol was solid but unspectacular, while Struijk was a cut above. As the season progresses, there is an argument to say he is their number one centre-back.

The Dutchman’s contract expires in 2027 but rather than letting him go, Leeds need to tie him down to a new deal. While he would go down as pure profit if sold, due to being an academy signing, Struijk needs to be retained – something the 49ers Enterprises must be mulling over.

Leeds’ fighting spirit cannot be denied

Leeds twice came from behind to rescue a draw at in-form Bournemouth, a side that haven’t lost in the league since January and are pushing for Europe.

The Whites had 40 per cent possession, 10 shots to the hosts’ 17 and an Expected Goals tally of 0.83 vs 1.45.

But as Longstaff pointed out, this Leeds team don’t give up.

Leeds are now nine points clear of 18th-placed Tottenham, although Spurs do have a game in hand.

That’s five unbeaten for Leeds. At this rate, they should be looking up the table rather than down.