Ahead of facing Tottenham, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is yet to fully integrate each new signing, with the likes of Jaka Bijol still yet to play a league minute so far.
Lucas Perri, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach, Noah Okafor, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are all players with over 200 minutes so far for Leeds United in the Premier League.
The other four signings have played 139 minutes (Lukas Nmecha), 19 minutes (James Justin), and zero minutes (Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw). Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are a strong pairing alongside one another.
Bijol was a big-money signing from Udinese, and he has vast experience of relegation battles or defending deep for concerted periods, having had to do so for both club and country. He should, in theory, be well-suited to a team aiming to survive.
Jaka Bijol could replace Brenden Aaronson for Leeds against Spurs
Leeds’ giant Slovenian defender is ‘imperious’ but the fact Bijol had to miss Leeds’ opener has allowed Rodon and Struijk to play regularly together after their two seasons as Leeds’ primary Championship pairing.
It was a ‘crazy’ announcement for Bijol regarding his suspension. It was unfortunate timing, given that Bijol is arguably a part of Leeds’ best XI and potentially the best central defender at the club.
Bijol isn’t even brought on late by Daniel Farke to help Leeds see games out. So far, he has been wedded to a 4-3-3 shape, but the 26-year-old has operated in both a back four and back five for club and country in his career.
Leeds have signed Bijol on a five-year contract and that is significant, as it shows their intent is for him to become a reliable player in the long-term. Bijol’s incredible aerial dominance could be vital, which is why they need to find a way to get him more minutes.
One way for Leeds to frustrate Spurs, amid their recent attacking woes, would be to sit deep, compact, and defend their box. These are things Bijol excels at, particularly in a back three. It would mean Leeds set up to play for counter-attacks and transitional moments.
Farke could sacrifice an attacking player and utilise a back three, given that Thomas Frank has been struggling to find solutions when teams do that. I asked the question on X (formerly Twitter) and Leeds fans have had their say.
However, only 31% of fans want to see a back three with wing-backs either side, with a further 24.8% wanting to make a change out wide with someone like Jack Harrison, the remaining 44.2% are intent on retaining Aaronson as the winger in the 4-3-3.
It’s crystal clear fans are delighted with Struijk and Rodon, with Ethan Ampadu sat just in front. On paper, it is a strong core for Leeds, even with them all being Championship players just last season.
- READ MORE: Leeds United’s Anton Stach finally reveals the secrets behind his crazy social media presence
Jaka Bijol explains his Premier League frustration
Bijol has explained his frustration to his Slovenia boss Matjaz Kek recently. He is incredibly unfortunate to be in this situation but Kek explained why.
He said: “This is also about the red card from Italy, which was why he was not in the coach’s first plans. The team is starting to play well, but they are not conceding goals. Why would he change?
“Add to that an unfortunate match in the cup, and things have come together like this. Just like with [Benjamin] Sesko – both in terms of quality and character, accepting things in the cruel world of professional sport, it is clear that he will get his chance.
“To get through here, you have to be both mentally and physically at the highest level. Jaka told me three weeks ago: ‘The Premier League, this is something special, something different.’ He has to get used to it, adapt and at a certain point have a little luck too.“
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
