Danny Murphy has told TalkSPORT that Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk cannot play for the club again after his display against Liverpool on Monday night during the 6-1 loss at Elland Road – saying Struijk has been “destroyed”.
Struijk, 23, lost his place in the Leeds side at left-back after picking up a head injury during the 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Junior Firpo has come in at left-back, leaving Struijk out of the starting eleven.
But an injury to Max Wober on international duty has seen Struijk come in at centre-back. In the four games Leeds have started with Struijk alongside Robin Koch, Leeds have conceded 16 goals. Simply, that is not good enough.
Five to Palace, six to Liverpool on Monday and five in the previous two. Murphy was speaking about Leeds this week after watching Leeds lose to his old club – and has urged Leeds not to use Struijk for the rest of the season, at least.
“Struijk, he struggled like hell at left-back, he went back to his familiar position at centre-half and in the last couple of weeks he’s been destroyed. He can’t play, he can’t play again,” Murphy told TalkSPORT following the 6-1 defeat.
Murphy says Leeds defender Struijk cannot play for the club again
Struijk has not made any glaring errors. But one would assume that his laid-back style, his lack of intensity and that leadership not his forte contributes. Look at Mo Salah’s second goal, he is so slow in closing Cody Gakpo down.
Murphy is right. With Wober looking closer to full fitness ahead of Saturday’s clash against Fulham, Struijk has got to come out of the side. Even if Wober is unable to start, then captain Liam Cooper should come in. A no-brainer.
