Daniel Farke told Leeds United they would be ‘better off’ not selling Pascal Struijk in the summer despite European interest.
That is according to Phil Hay of the Athletic, who says Leeds saw Struijk as someone who was likely to move on after relegation, until Farke was appointed.
It is said Belgian side Club Brugge made an approach for Struijk during the window, though by that point, Farke has already been named as Leeds’ new manager.
And it was Farke who told Leeds to knock back any interest in the 24-year-old, with his retention perhaps becoming more crucial after the exits of Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Max Wober.
Struijk has played every minute of every league game under Farke so far this season and looks to have fully restored his confidence having help keep five clean sheets in six matches.
Farke told Leeds to keep Struijk this summer
Many supporters would’ve been forgiven for wanting to see the back of Struijk during the window after how his form tailed off last season.
Struijk was shifted over to left-back by Jesse Marsch after Leeds’ inability to sign a more natural fit for that position, a move which saw confidence gradually drain out of him.
A fresh start could’ve been exactly what Struijk needed after the stagnation of his development, but he appears to have found that under Farke.
Struijk has formed a strong partnership with Joe Rodon in the centre of defence and if Leeds can keep them both fit, they won’t be conceding many goals.
If Struijk can continue to perform at the level he has been throughout the season, there won’t be many centre backs better than him in this division.
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