Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk [Credit: Imago]
Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk [Credit: Imago]

Pascal Struijk shares what he's noticed about Josuha Guilavogui in Leeds United training

Zak Anderton

Zak is a professional football writer from the UK. He is a Sports Journalism graduate from Leeds Trinity University and has previously worked on websites such as TEAMtalk and Planet Sport. He started working at Breaking Media in June 2024 and covers a range of their club websites.

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Josuha Guilavogui has shown "everything" in training that Leeds United would want in a number six, according to Pascal Struijk.

The midfielder was recently brought to Elland Road on a free transfer after injuries to Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu left the Whites somewhat light in midfield.

Speaking to BBC Sport (30 October), Struijk shared what the Frenchman has already done to prove his worth to the West Yorkshire outfit.

"I mean as a guy, he is a top guy. From the first moment he came in here he had a smile on his face. He trains with a smile, and as a player he is really good. You can see the experience he has, like in the reading of the game," he said.

“He is calm and composed on the ball, so everything you would want really from a number six, or number four. He has played at the highest level and you can only see with the experience he has, sometimes he makes it look easy, because that’s what great players do.”

Josuha Guilavogui was a perfect signing for Leeds United

Many of Leeds' fans were rather worried after they lost their two starting defensive midfielders back in September but things have seemingly worked out for the club.

Summer arrivals Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka have more than filled the void left by the injured pair and some may even say that, on occasion, they've outperformed them.

While the Whites' defensive ability is somewhat hindered without Gruev and Ampadu in the starting XI, it feels like Rothwell and Tanaka have brought a new level of energy to the team.

Leeds United midfielder Ethan Ampadu
Leeds United signed Ethan Ampadu in 2023. (Credit: Imago)

Guilavogui's addition to Leeds' squad is obviously in case of another emergency such as another player being sidelined but the fact he's already shown his composure shows that, if he is called upon, he'll be able to put in a decent shift.

He hasn't yet been given the chance to start a game but before Ampadu and Gruev return, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him slotted into one of Leeds' starting XI's in the near future.

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