Former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn believes Pascal Struijk has improved a lot from last season.
Redfearn was speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after the Whites’ 0-0 draw at Hull City on Wednesday where Struijk once again produced an impressive performance.
The 24-year-old endured an extremely difficult campaign in the Premier League last year as Jesse Marsch farmed him out to left-back for several months.
Despite having looked relatively comfortable early on in that role, Struijk began to really struggle and so his form fall off a cliff in the second half of the season.
Under Daniel Farke, though, Struijk has returned to his rightful position of centre-back and has seen his performances go from strength-to-strength, with Leeds keeping three clean sheets in a row.
Redfearn says Struijk has improved a lot this season
Speaking on the Dutchman’s performance in the draw at Hull, Redfearn claimed Struijk’s physical presence and reading of the game make him a really good centre-back.
“Last season in the Premier League there were some young players who had it tough in the elite environment. Struijk sort of went left-back, centre-back and right-back, he got played in one or two different positions.
“Now he is in the position where he plays, he is settled and he looks a player to me. He is physically perfect for the role, I think his timing of things is good, he reacts well, he has got a good understanding with Rodon and they balance and cover for one another.”
A fresh start in his proper position under Farke has done Struijk a world of good, as he is now beginning to look like the player that first broke through under Marcelo Bielsa.
His ability in possession makes him the ideal centre-back for Farke’s style, but he is now also becoming more aggressive in his defensive work.
It is a real shame his partnership with Joe Rodon will be broken up this weekend, but hopefully it can be rekindled after the Welshman has served his suspension.
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