Out-on-loan Leeds player admits he has been left ‘annoyed’ by new side, after summer move

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Rasmus Kristensen has told Danish outlet Sport TV2 that he was “annoyed” to find out that he had been left out of Roma’s Europa League squad – having joined the Italian giants on loan from Leeds United.

Kristensen, 26, joined Leeds for a fee of £10m in the summer of 2022 – Jesse Marsch’s second official signing as manager at Elland Road. It saw Marsch and Kristensen reunite, after a spell at Salzburg.

He struggled, though. In truth, Kristensen was supposed to replace Luke Ayling but the latter was our best right-back last season – despite Ayling’s form being somewhat up and down. He played 30 times.

Going into the summer, he was deemed one of the players that might end up staying on but when Roma came calling – he was off. It has been a tumultuous time for Kristensen at Roma, after his move to Italy.

A tricky start saw him hooked at half-time in his second outing. Then, an unused sub in Roma’s third Serie A match – and told that he had been left out of the Europa League squad. Kristensen, annoyed.

“He [Roma’s sporting director Tiago Pinto] explained to me that he was sorry, and he understood well if I was angry and disappointed. But that was the way it had to be. There’s not much I can do about it.

“Fortunately, I have played in the Serie A matches that have taken place. In that way it has been okay, but of course it is annoying,” Kristensen added, when discussing the omission from the Europa League.

Kristensen annoyed to be left out of Roma Europa League squad

Harsh, to be fair to Kristensen. One of the reasons he will have joined Roma was to get the chance to play in Europe. But, he has to contend with Serie A minutes – given Roma’s depth on the right flank.

The Italians boast Turkish star Zeki Celik, as well Dutch ace Rick Karsdorp. So, there is plenty of options and at the time that the squads had to be named, Kristensen was likely third choice. That is changing.

Kristensen’s form has improved, as has Roma’s. After being an unused sub in a 2-1 loss to Milan, he played three straight league games afterwards – completing 90 minutes. He is right in the mix.