The start of the Premier League season is fast approaching and Leeds United find themselves without a fit, recognised left-back. Leeds had put their faith in Junior Firpo to make the position his own this season after a difficult first year with the club.
However, the injury he picked up in the friendly against Blackpool earlier this month means he will miss at least the first month of the Whites’ league campaign. Since the injury was confirmed Leeds have added a new left-back to their summer shopping list and they have been scouring the market in the hope of finding a man to slot in at full-back.
With just over a week to go until the season gets underway, though, Leeds haven’t found their man and Jesse Marsch will be assessing his current options within the squad for the opener against Wolves on August 6. Here, Leeds Live take a look at the men Marsch could look to as he puts together his defensive line for next week’s game.
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Pascal Struijk
Struijk could be seen training as a left-back at times during United’s pre-season tour of Australia and he was the man given the nod to start in the position for the club’s final game against Crystal Palace in Perth. The defender didn’t look particularly comfortable in the role at the Optus Stadium, though, and he struggled to deal with Palace’s attacking threat and width.
However, the selection provided a rather telling insight into Marsch’s thinking as the season opener nears and right now it could be said the former Netherlands youth international is the favourite to start on the left against Wolves. Of course, Struijk does have experience of playing there and he made a handful of appearances in the role last season under both Marsch and Marcelo Bielsa.
Struijk also scored a decisive goal against Brighton from the left-back spot in May after stepping off the bench to replace Firpo at Elland Road.
Leo Hjelde
The Norwegian also featured at left-back during the club’s tour Down Under, stepping off the bench to replace Leif Davis, who has since signed for Ipswich Town, in the defeat to Aston Villa at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. Hjelde held his own during the contest, but it must be said he looked better as a centre-half, where he played against Palace in Perth.
He does have Premier League experience as a left-back, though, making outings against West Ham United and Everton last season, appearing as an early substitute on both occasions. He has also featured for Leeds’ youth side, Ross County and Norway under-21s at left-back.
Jack Harrison
Harrison made two appearances at left-back in Australia and actually started in the position against Brisbane Roar in a move that came as a surprise to many. The 25-year-old carried a threat going forward, but often left holes which the A-League side looked to exploit as Harrison showcased his lack of defensive nous.
He has limited experience playing in the role, but his energy and speed down the line would suggest he is more than capable of performing well there. However, the injury Luis Sinisterra picked up last week against Palace may just force the head coach to look at other options, with Harrison needed in a more attacking position.
Cody Drameh
Drameh looks set to deputise for Rasmus Kristensen at right-back this season after excelling last time around while on loan at Cardiff City. The full-back picked up a small injury in Australia that saw him ruled out for the final game of the tour, but he seemed to look the part whenever he played and he could well be an option on the left.
The 20-year-old has featured on the left on a handful of occasions in the past, with appearances for Fulham’s youth side and England under-18s coming there, but never at first-team level. Drameh is keen to pick up as much game time as possible this season as he continues to develop and grow and he could be one player putting his hand up to play on the left.
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