‘Insane’ fee required for Leeds United to even consider selling ‘cornerstone’ player – The Athletic

VaselineJune 16, 2024

0 2 minutes read

‘Insane’ fee required for Leeds United to even consider selling ‘cornerstone’ player – The Athletic

Leeds United will be boosted in pre-season by the return to fitness of Pascal Struijk, who missed the second half of the season hugely despite Ethan Ampadu becoming captain.

Leeds’ defensive brilliance in the 23/24 Championship season was what helped them finish third and come so close to promotion, and while their run of shutouts in 2024 contributed, the importance of Pascal Struijk cannot be underestimated.

The 24-year-old defender was vital to the team before the hip injury that required season-ending surgery in March.

Leeds would need ‘insane fee’ to let Struijk leave this summer

Athletic have looked at Leeds’ most valuable assets as they assess who could leave the club and help balance our PSR woes.

Of those, Struijk reveals that the prospect of losing the Dutch defender is being discussed, but it is very clear that he will not be allowed to leave, even if he somehow wanted to.

Nancy Froston writes:

“A player who Farke described as ‘the cornerstone of our future’ and already so important to the current squad, only a crazy fee would make up for losing what he offers on the pitch.”

Happy to have Aaronson back?

What else did Farke say about Struijk?

Struijk’s importance to the team is something Farke has stressed, with the defender missing last season.

The manager had this to say about him (via YEP):

“I feel a bit crazy that we haven’t talked about him in the last two months, and thank God we didn’t have to because our defensive behavior was spot on.

“He is a cornerstone for our future.”

Struijk will be vital for Leeds next season, plain and simple

As much as Ampadu was a rock at the back next to Joe Rodon while Struijk was out, we really missed him being in the middle of our backline.

Struijk has been and still is our best centre-back and having him at the heart of the defense next season will be crucial to our promotion chances.

Not only is he a top defender at this level, but his progression on the ball is better than anyone else we have, while freeing up Ampadu to stay in midfield for the season.

VaselineJune 16, 2024

0 2 minutes read