Pascal Struijk shows Leeds United qualities in perfect win v Sheffield United
Pascal Struijk showed he has what it takes to lead Leeds United to promotion after what he did against Sheffield United.
Struijk put in a dazzling display against the Blades on Friday (18 October), scoring the Whites’ opening goal in the 2-0 victory at Elland Road and breaking their set-piece hoodoo in the process.
The 25-year-old Dutchman was also solid at the back, and with Ethan Ampadu out injured until the New Year, Struijk has become the biggest leader in Daniel Farke’s squad.
Pascal Struijk infallible for Leeds against Sheffield United
Sheffield United hardly laid a glove on the hosts throughout the Yorkshire derby on 18 October, with Struijk and Joe Rodon repelling everything that came their way.
At the other end of the pitch, it was Struijk who broke the game open, scoring from a corner from his only attempt on target with a lethal finish which had a value of just 0.08 expected goals [FotMob].
The Dutchman had 90 touches in total, completing 92 per cent of his 83 passes and threading 10 of these into the final third, as well as finding a man with 43 per cent of seven attempted long balls.
Furthermore, Struijk didn’t put a single foot wrong in defence, winning 100 per cent of his three ground duels and attempted tackles respectively [FotMob], and putting in five defensive actions in total.
These included a block and clearance apiece, with Struijk recovering possession for the Whites on seven occasions overall, stepping up to the plate when Farke and the Elland Road crowd needed him most.
With three points won, the long-running set-piece dilemma halted and a clean sheet in the bag, Struijk’s contribution against Sheffield United went far beyond what many would have expected.
In other Leeds news, one Sky Sports pundit dubbed Daniel Farke’s side as “the real deal” after what they’ve done this week.
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