How Leeds United privately feel about Pascal Struijk after Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw joining….
Leeds United have made their second and third signings of the summer in recent weeks by securing Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw.
The centre-back duo join Lukas Nmecha as the first additions for Daniel Farke as he builds a new-look Leeds United side for the Premier League.
They allow Ethan Ampadu to operate in his best role ahead of the defence as a defensive midfielder, while also adding competition to Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk at the heart of Leeds’ backline.
Of course, it’s plausible that Leeds want four specialists heading into 2025/26, but the Whites also have PSR concerns and Struijk could be a sale for Leeds to consider.
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Leeds United FC v Sheffield United FC – Sky Bet Championship
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Pascal Struijk PSR talk emerges again for Leeds United
Struijk is a two-time title winner with Leeds, which is a feat only Patrick Bamford and Illan Meslier also managed in 2020 and 2025.
However, if Bijol signing for Leeds concerned Struijk, then Bornauw may have him sweating a little more about his place in the pecking order.
A stylish and composed central defender on the ball, Struijk evidently has his place in the side. His passing range is arguably the best of any of Leeds’ pool of centre-backs.
He can also operate at left-back, but Adam Pope has concerns over Struijk’s future. Those same worries are echoed by Beren Cross in his latest piece for The Athletic regarding Bornauw.
He states that, on paper, Bijol and Rodon are probably the strongest centre-back pairing. However, Daniel Farke now has “a strong quartet to choose from”.
He adds that Max Wober has long been expected to leave Leeds, while question marks may now hover over Struijk’s future at Elland Road.
Cross wrote: “If the Dutch defender were sold, it would ease United’s profit and sustainability (PSR) picture because of how little they paid for him in 2018.
“There have been no steers from the club to suggest Struijk, specifically, has to go, but outgoings are needed this summer to ease the PSR projections.”
An alternative would be to hand Struijk a new contract at Leeds as a statement to the Dutchman that he is valued and that they wish to retain him for their upcoming campaign.
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Pascal Struijk holds his hands to his ears after scoring against Sunderland.
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Daniel Farke once called Pascal Struijk a ‘cornerstone’ for Leeds’ future and that hasn’t changed
Having donned the captain’s armband throughout the last two seasons at various different points up until his injury issues arose, it’s clear that Farke sees Struijk as one of his most crucial players.
When asked about his post-international break recovery back in 2023/24, Farke felt the need to underline the 26-year-old’s importance to the side (via The Yorkshire Evening Post) and called him a cornerstone of the club’s future.
He said: “Feels a bit crazy that we didn’t speak about him last two months and thank God we didn’t have to because our defensive behaviour was spot on.
“He’s a cornerstone for our future. We play without such a key player for two months, once he’s back in team training it’s not like you press a button and he’s back to his best.
“I expect him to be back in team training other side of international break at latest. Hopefully as soon as possible back in best possible shape.“
Selling a ‘cornerstone’ piece seems like it would go against how highly valued he is by Farke and the club, unless a simply astronomical offer is made for Struijk this summer.
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