Javi Gracia reacts to Rasmus Kristensen display in Leeds loss

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Javi Gracia has praised the performance of Rasmus Kristensen after Leeds United’s loss to Fulham in the FA Cup, claiming that the defender played really well at Craven Cottage – in comments reported by Leeds Live.

Kristensen returned to the starting lineup for the tie with Marco Silva’s men. But perhaps surprisingly, the Denmark international was used as a centre-back alongside Robin Koch.

Ultimately, it proved to be a tough night for Leeds. Two brilliant goals settled the game and ensured that it would be Fulham who would book their place in the quarter-final.

Gracia praises Kristensen display in Leeds loss

Leeds generally played well. Of course, much of the frustration came in the final third. But it was not a perfect performance across the pitch.

It did seem that the defence found things difficult at times. But when asked about Kristensen’s performance at centre-back, Gracia suggested that he was pleased with the 25-year-old.

“Played really well. Spoke with him before the game to tell him I wanted him in there and he agreed,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live. “He said he will play where the team needs him and he’s a very good pro always putting the team, before himself. Played very well. Focused because he was concentrated on the game. Really well.”

Kristensen has not had the easiest time since moving to Leeds in the summer. Certainly, it was ominous that he had lost his place to Luke Ayling in recent weeks.

Ayling has been superb. But Kristensen was surely signed to be first-choice in that position.

Obviously, it would be a shock to see him start against Chelsea this weekend. You would imagine that Max Wober will come back in as long as he is not suffering with any injury.

It was not a flawless performance from the backline. And Kristensen was almost punished for failing to cut out a cross in the second-half. Thankfully, Aleksandar Mitrović was offside.

It will be interesting to see whether Gracia plans to use Kristensen at centre-back more often though. Clearly, the new Leeds boss saw little wrong with his performance against the Cottagers on Tuesday.