A new left-back is on Leeds United’s radar for the January transfer window, but the makeshift incumbent still has serious work on their hands. There are two competitive matches before next month arrives and then at least another four before deadline day, if it takes that long.
Pascal Struijk has gone from being a back-up centre-back in the summer to a first-choice full-back keeping the only natural alternative out of the side, against all the odds. Robin Koch, Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams are the only outfield players with more minutes than the Dutchman, to underline how well he’s done in the new role.
Advice from team-mates with far more experience in the position has been vital to Struijk’s development. While Junior Firpo, the man everyone expected to be holding down the position with zero competition, has been a constant source of support for Struijk.
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“Junior has played there for way longer than I have, so asking him and Bill (Luke Ayling), the players who play right-back, Stuey [Dallas], asking them for advice,” he said. “Now I've played quite a few games, so I'm getting pretty used to it and if I run into trouble I can always ask them.”
On Firpo, he added: “As a team, we are always happy for each other. Of course, there’s a wanting to play because every player wants to play, but no matter what everyone supports each other, even if they’re not in the team.”
Jesse Marsch has made a point of returning Struijk to central defence, with Leo Hjelde at left-back, at Elche and behind closed doors at Preston. That remains the long-term plan for the 23-year-old, but there are huge benefits he will take back to that position from left-back.
“It's a different position, it asks different things of you,” he said. “You play much more one vs one, you're asked to go and attack way more, running up and down the pitch, playing one v one against great players. It is difficult, but it's a good challenge for me to have.”
He added: “I probably have to be [more agile and dynamic], playing against the good, tricky wingers. Physically, I am running way more up and down the pitch.
“My high speed is probably more than it has been at centre-back, which is tricky sometimes, but it’s fun as well.”
One of the hardest lessons Struijk has had to learn at left-back has been the lack of cover behind him. The former Ajax man has long enjoyed the security of a Robin Koch or Diego Llorente behind him at centre-back, but all he feels in the wide slot is that great expanse of grass for wingers to attack.
“Probably in the beginning my positioning [needed most work], getting in the right position because it's very different,” he said. “You're the last guy and no one is behind you.
“Whereas when you're the centre-back and you shift to the other side you have some cover and when you step in you have some cover from the other centre-back. You play one vs one in a big space and you're the last guy defending, which is tricky, but it's good for me as a challenge.”
Leeds will hope they see the dividends paid out for many years to come when Struijk returns to his natural home in the centre.
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