Leeds United reaping rewards for backing Pascal Struijk

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In the summer, it appeared that Leeds United could have moved on their young defender Pascal Struijk. 

There was certainly interest. According to a report from Sport/Voetbal Magazine in May, clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany were all keen on the player and Leeds were open to an exit. 

Struijk went on to enjoy a solid end to the Championship season, being used as a holding midfielder in the final two games of the season as Leeds secured promotion. 

But with Leeds signing both Robin Koch and Diego Llorente in the summer, there was more talk of a potential Struijk exit, even if it was only on loan. 

Leeds will no doubt be pleased with their decision not to let the 21-year-old Dutchman go. 

Struijk has proved to be a more pivotal member of the Leeds first-team than expected this season. 

Struijk has played seven times in the Premier League this season and has contributed to an improvement at the back for Leeds in their last two games. Leeds have kept clean sheets for two games in a row for only the second time this season with Struijk in for captain Liam Cooper, who has struggled with the step up to the top-flight. 

There was once a time when Struijk was considered to be a talent on par with Matthijs de Ligt, when the duo formed a solid centre-back partnership at Ajax. 

Now it seems as though he is living up to the potential Leeds always knew he had. Who knows? Maybe he will permanently take over from Cooper in the Leeds defence before long.