Jesse Marsch will know Leeds United have plenty of room for improvement as they get to work during the Premier League’s World Cup break. The Whites are 15th at present, two points above the relegation zone and they’ll be keen to pull away from the bottom three when the action starts up again after Christmas.
Leeds may be in a relegation battle, but that’s not to say they haven’t had some strong performers this season. The likes of Tyler Adams, Illan Meslier and Brenden Aaronson immediately stand out as some of the Whites’ best.
Here, though, Leeds Live take a look at some of those impressive performers who can be classed as surprise packages.
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Pascal Struijk
Struijk entered pre-season without a recognised spot in Jesse Marsch’s starting XI. He had been used regularly last season, but appearances came across the back line and even in midfield, on the rare occasion.
However, the injury Junior Firpo picked up in pre-season opened the door for Struijk to start the campaign at left-back and, 14 games into the campaign, he is recognised as the club’s first choice on the edge. That’s not a controversial view, either, with supporters and Marsch seemingly agreeing that the Dutchman is the best option Leeds have at left-back.
He’s produced mature, measured and sturdy performances throughout the season for the Whites to make the role his own and he’s got forward well, too, when the opportunity has presented itself. Struijk’s performances might not stop the club going in search of a more natural option on the left in January, but the 23-year-old can certainly be pleased with his efforts and he’ll stand a good chance of winning a spot in his more natural centre-back position.
Struijk’s performances have seen him pick up international recognition, too, after being named in Louis van Gaal’s provisional World Cup squad.
Crysencio Summerville
Summerville has had to be patient under Marsch this season. The winger penned a new deal at Elland Road and took the number 10 shirt in pre-season, but he struggled to pick up consistent minutes over the first two and half months of the season.
He earned the chance to start against Leicester City, though, and while that was a night to forget for the Whites, he hasn’t looked back. He grabbed his first Leeds goal a few days later, bagging late against Fulham at Elland Road before returning to the starting line-up at Anfield.
Summerville was a threat against Liverpool, giving their international full-backs something to think about before popping up in the closing moments of the game to score the winner and break United’s eight-game winless run. He won’t forget that goal on Merseyside in a hurry and he isn’t likely to forget the one he scored the next week against Bournemouth either.
Having helped Leeds come from 3-1 down at Elland Road against the Cherries, the Dutchman scored the winner for the second week running, finishing with aplomb following Wilfried Gnonto’s superb box to box run. He claimed a fourth against Tottenham on Saturday to ensure the break as one of the Premier League’s hottest young stars.
Rodrigo
The Spanish striker was a figure of frustration for many last season as he struggled to produce on the field for the Whites. He entered pre-season without a recognised spot in the side and it seemed as though he would play more of a bit-part role for the Whites this season.
However, after bagging a hat-trick in the friendly against Cagliari, he was an obvious choice to start on the opening day against Wolves and he carried on scoring. He found the back of the net against Wolves before notching a brace at Southampton and another in the home win over Chelsea.
He dislocated his shoulder at the end of August, but returned to feature against Aston Villa in October and it took him four games to start scoring once more. He has hit five goals in the club’s last four games, with another brace coming against Spurs in north London last weekend and his total of nine for the season has him fourth in the Premier League scoring charts, behind just Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Ivan Toney.
Rodrigo hasn’t always performed at his best this season, but he has come alive in front of goal and right now, Marsch’s striker spot is his to lose.
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