Pascal Struijk’s return to fitness acts almost as if he is a new signing at Leeds United, bolstering Daniel Farke’s options in defence with the squad currently out in Germany.
Farke has taken his players to his home country as he prepares his Leeds side for action, with the opener less than three weeks away. The Whites host newly-promoted Portsmouth at Elland Road on August 10.
Before that, Leeds face two friendlies against unnamed opposition, rumoured to be Hannover 96 and then Schalke, before returning to Yorkshire to face Valencia on August 3 in front of an Elland Road crowd.
Leeds have waved goodbye to Charlie Cresswell and Liam Cooper in central defence. But, The Whites have secured the permanent signing of Joe Rodon, and it looks as if Max Wober is back at Elland Road.
Struijk shares verdict on Leeds star Joe Rodon after £10m transfer
With James Debayo also impressing after being given the call-up to Farke’s senior side, Leeds are already well-stocked at centre-back again. That is, if Farke feels Debayo is ready to act as a fourth-choice option.
Plenty of competition for Struijk to get back into the side especially in the form of Wober, who of course is a left-footed centre-back. Speaking to Leeds Live out in Germany, Struijk discussed Rodon’s quality.
“I really like Joe. I said in an interview before, I already praised him last season. I can do the same again, but I don’t want to do it again. It might get his confidence too high (laughs),” Struijk said, on Rodon.
“He needs to be switched on a little, but I’ve got high praise for him. He’s a really good player. It was really nice to play next to him for the six months I did. Hopefully, we can continue to do a full season.”
Daniel Farke has opportunity to completely change formation
While Farke may view it as a competition between Struijk and Wober to start alongside Rodon in the middle of his back four, there is every chance he could switch to a back three and incorporate both stars.
There is scope to play Rodon on the right of a back three and either Wober or Struijk on the left. Such a system was used against Harrogate and would allow Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle to get more forward.
Certainly, Bogle and Firpo’s strengths are not necessarily defending but more so in the final third. So, having that trio of Premier League-standard defenders might be the cornerstone to a push for promotion.
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