Following the win at Wolves, it is fair to say that Leeds United have several players in good form and feeling confident. Pascal Struijk is certainly one of them, having been expected to warm the bench.
The £15m addition of Jaka Bijol was supposed to knock Struijk out of the starting XI. The left-footed ace has been excellent during Daniel Farke’s reign, but has also had to put up with two long-term injuries.
However, with Bijol suspended for the opening game against Everton, Struijk got his chance and has since remained in the starting line-up. Farke praised Bijol recently, describing him as a “marquee signing”.
But Struijk is keeping him out of the side on merit. The Leeds vice-captain has been speaking to the media this week ahead of the welcome of Bournemouth, and feels one player is often underappreciated.
Pascal Struijk hails Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu
Ampadu has been about as good as fans could possibly expect, back in the Premier League. The Wales star might have played in England’s top tier before, but only 26 times before returning with Leeds.
Injury against Everton saw him miss Arsenal and Newcastle, but his performances have been exemplary. FotMob rate Ampadu as Leeds’ third-best player so far, behind Anton Stach and goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
And yet, speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Struijk feels Ampadu’s work off the ball and even off the pitch is vastly underappreciated: “He’s a really good player. Especially, if you look, it’s not always on the ball.
“What isn’t always appreciated is what he does off the ball, vocally what he does, speaking with the ref, speaking here and there to teammates, before the game, after the game,” Struijk told Adam Pope.
“The leadership that he has, as a personality, it’s amazing for the team. Especially as someone who can speak to both sides of the team. For me, it’s hard to shout to the strikers, but he can and he’s good at it.”
Leeds United’s form with Ampadu, and without Ampadu
On Saturday, Ampadu matched a Leeds record previously held solely by Allan Clarke. He secured a 50th win in his 81st game, the quickest to reach 50 wins since Clarke, who also managed the feat on 81 games.
That says it all. Leeds are a better side with Ampadu, and the stats prove it too, since his arrival at Leeds. Farke has made some brilliant signings since taking charge, but £10m for Ampadu is absolutely genius.
The 56-time Wales star, like Struijk, has entered the final two years of his contract at Elland Road and Leeds need to tie the midfielder down to new terms quickly, as he impresses back in the Premier League.
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