Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk will be looking to build on an impressive first season in the Premier League as the Whites hope to finish even higher up in the table next term.
After a 16-year absence from England's top flight, manager Marcelo Bielsa guided the West Yorkshire outfit to ninth place. With that experience in the bank, Struijk will be determined to earn more game time and help Leeds push for those highly coveted European places.
Struijk Showing Premier Quality
At just 21 years old, Struijk showed he was more than capable of playing in the Premier League, as he stepped up in the absence of others. Leeds, who are priced at 47/10 in the football odds to beat rivals Manchester United in their opening game of the season, were plagued by injuries in defence in the last term. Diego Llorente and Robin Koch both endured spells on the sidelines, and Struijk found himself thrust into the unforgiving arena of Premier League football.However, the Belgium-born defender repaid the faith shown by Bielsa, as he took the step up in responsibility in his stride. It must be noted that Struijk was part of the Leeds squad that won the Championship title in the 2019-20 campaign, and Bielsa is fully aware of the player's potential going forward.
Competition Driving Up Standards
With Leeds hoping to have all personnel fit and firing for the start of the 2021-22 Premier League season, competition for places looks set to be as fierce as ever at Elland Road. A lack of strength in depth has been something of an issue for Leeds over the years, with Bielsa persistently relying on a small pool of players since his arrival at the club back in 2018.Without any setbacks over the summer, Leeds would hope to have Struijk, Llorente, Koch, and Scottish international Liam Cooper all competing for the two centre-back roles. Obviously, four does not go into two, but the battle for those starting places can only drive up standards at Elland Road.
Leeds Looking Up
The Whites surprised many to finish ninth in their first campaign back in the Premier League after such a lengthy absence. Now Leeds are looking to bolster their ranks in the summer transfer window in a bid to secure European football next term. Left-back Junior Firpo has already arrived at Leeds from Barcelona, and the Whites are expected to bring in more fresh faces over the window.There's a cautionary tale to be seen with Sheffield United, who themselves impressed in their first season back in the Premier League, before being relegated the following campaign. Leeds will look to avoid the same trappings as the Blades, and improving depth in the squad will be a key focus as they strive to progress.
Struijk has already faced big challenges to get himself in the first-team frame at Elland Road. Now, even more can be expected from this talented defender in an exciting time for Leeds going forward.
