Adam Pope explains Nico Elvedi decision in Leeds draw vs Brighton after w he noticed with Jaka Bijol

Nico Elvedi received the nod over Jaka Bijol for Leeds United's draw with Brighton over the weekend.

Switzerland defender Elvedi made the switch to Elland Road during the summer after spending 11 years at Borussia Monchengladbach.

The 29-year-old made his debut for the Whites in the 2-0 victory at Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup last month.

He then came off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Brentford after Joe Rodon was injured in the first half.

Daniel Farke then went with Elvedi in the centre of defence against Brighton, with James Justin and Tarik Muharemovic either side of him, leaving Bijol on the bench.

BBC Radio Leeds commentators Adam Pope and Jonathan Buchan explained Farke's decision, revealing what they noticed in the warm-up.

Why did Daniel Farke go with Nico Elvedi over Jaka Bijol for Leeds United?

Pope and Buchan were discussing Farke's selection call on the Don't Go To Bed Yet podcast.

The duo explained how they noticed that Bijol appeared to be struggling with injury in the warm-up, and was seen in discussion with medical staff.

However, seemingly an injury to Bijol had little to do with Farke's decision to go with Elvedi at the heart of defence.

Indeed, they explained that Farke merely felt Elvedi deserved to get the shirt given how he has performed so far and his attitude in training.

Pope said: "Well, the Elvedi explanation for no Bijol there, because we wondered if Bijol had picked up a bit of a knock the way he was looking at his ankle was it on the way down the tunnel?

Buchan replied: "Yeah, in the warm up, I mean he hadn't been selected by that point already but as he walked off, he walked off with one of the medical staff and was pointing sort of to his ankle a little bit, so we were like maybe he's got a little thing that they've just monitored but that doesn't seem to be the case."

Pope finished off by saying: "No, it doesnt. The reasoning behind it was, no slight on Bijol, it was a reward for Elvedi for looking very sharp in training and or like a little bit sharper, sort of horses for courses moment.

"He then sort of praised Bijol for helping sort of the rearguard action towards the back end of the game where he did play a big part. But yeah, it was Elvedi's been showing it a bit more."

Good decisions for Daniel Farke to have at Leeds United

It was a serious blow for Leeds to lose Rodon for the best part of three months so early in the season.

But what Farke has now is some serious quality to choose from at centre-back.

The arrivals of Tarik Muharemovic and Elvedi have added genuine quality to the backline, and Bijol was just unfortunate to miss out.

Bijol will see plenty of game time this season, as will all of Leeds' defence in a gruelling season.

But Elvedi deserved his shot, and the Switzerland ace has slotted in seamlessly so far at Leeds.