Leeds United kick off the new Premier League season with a home clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The Whites return for a third consecutive year of top-flight football with a squad that looks a whole lot different to the one that ended the 2021/22 campaign.
Despite the changes over the summer, though, Leeds look set to start the new season with a familiar issue on the left-hand side of defence. With Junior Firpo still injured and no signing yet the door, Pascal Struijk is likely to begin the season out of position at left-back.
While Struijk is able to do a job in that role, it is clearly a position he is not overly comfortably in and therefore Leeds’ early opponents could target that as a potential weak spot. With that in mind, here is a look at the sides Firpo is likely to miss matches against and the players who could look to take advantage of Leeds’ lack of left back.
READ MORE: Jesse Marsch details Andrea Radrizzani talks over Leeds United's remaining transfer targets
Wolves – Morgan Gibbs-White/Jonny Otto
Given their preference for a three at the back, Wolves don’t usually play with out-and-out wingers. Bruno Lage’s side have already been hit by injuries to attacking players Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez, while right wingback Nelson Semedo also looks likely to miss out.
If pre-season is anything to go by, it is likely that Morgan Gibbs-White will start on the right of a front three, with Jonny Otto just behind him. Gibbs-White’s strengths lay in his creativity on the ball, but he does not necessarily possess the pace of the likes of Traore.
That could benefit Struijk in that there is much less danger of players running in behind him. He will still certainly have to be aware of his intelligence in possession, though.
Southampton – Moussa Djenepo
Again, Southampton don’t often play with wingers who are asked to hog the touchline. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s favoured formation is a 4-2-2-2, meaning the duo in behind the strikers are slightly more narrow.
At this stage, it is unclear who Hasenhuttl’s player of choice will be on the right, but Moussa Djenepo has played there a few times during pre-season. Djenepo is a player who enjoys committing defenders with his pace and trickery and so Struijk will have to be switched on to deal with that.
Chelsea – Mason Mount/Reece James
A recurring theme of Leeds’ opening opponents is their decisions not to play with an out-and-out winger, and Chelsea are no different. That said, the Blues will undoubtedly provide Struijk with his toughest test given how much emphasis they place on attacking through their wingbacks.
Reece James is arguably their most important player going forward and Struijk will have to be on top of his game to stop him from consistently delivering his deadly crosses into the box. Like Wolves, Chelsea will also have someone – most likely Mason Mount – lining up as a right-sided attacker. There is also the prospect of Raheem Sterling swapping flanks to target a Leeds United weakness here.
Should Struijk be the man turning out at left-back, he will certainly have his hands full when Thomas Tuchel’s side come to West Yorkshire.
READ NEXT
Go here for all the latest Leeds United news
Every word Jesse Marsch said on Leeds United progress, injury optimism and transfer discussions
Jesse Marsch's Leeds United show Andrea Radrizzani why he should get the transfers he wants
New Jack Harrison squad number hint as Leeds United importance underlined
Liam Cooper delivers Leeds United injury update after writing off pre-season friendlies
