Daniel Farke will soon have to make a decision on Pascal Struijk starting games again, with Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu currently shifting around in his absence for Leeds United.
The Whites face Sunderland this Monday, meaning they have the chance to create a large gap to their rivals with a win. Away from home, Farke has opted for more security and solidity as Gruev has started over Joe Rothwell, but the German could still be minded to change his team.
That’s despite a 14-game unbeaten run in the league, because Struijk’s return is difficult to ignore, such was his form in the opening third of the campaign. Gruev put in a stellar performance to Coventry, though, with Watford also an impressive and classy display from the Bulgarian.
Leeds’ captain, Ampadu, has been deployed at centre-back numerous times over the last two seasons, but many Leeds fans prefer him as a defensive midfielder, where he has only once started a game alongside the excellent Ao Tanaka this term.
Daniel Farke faces a Pascal Struijk selection problem ahead of Sunderland clash
We asked FLW’s Leeds United fan pundit Kris Smith for his thoughts on this particular area of the pitch, and whether it is difficult to get Struijk back in the team alongside Joe Rodon, with the team’s form and Gruev and Ampadu’s stellar performances lately.
Ahead of the game with Sunderland, Struijk will be itching to return to the line-up. Kris believes that he is too crucial to leave out for much longer for Leeds, but if he is not at 100 per cent fitness, then the Dutchman cannot be risked from the start.
“As soon as Pascal Struijk is fully fit and up to top speed in terms of his match sharpness, there is no debate whatsoever to be had,” Kris told FLW.
“He is one of the first names on the teamsheet; it’s as simple as that. Farke has said multiple times, and I think that his performance levels, compared with our other centre-back options as well, should prove it as well.
