Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk has been criticised by LeedsLive reporter William Jackson for his performance in the Whites’ pre-season friendly with Crystal Palace on Friday.
Jesse Marsch’s side drew 1-1 with fellow Premier League side Palace in the Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.
Rodrigo put the Whites 1-0 up from the penalty spot in the second-half, before Jean-Philippe Mateta responded for Patrick Vieira’s side.
Struijk had played in both of Leeds’ previous two pre-season fixtures in Australia against Brisbane Roar and Aston Villa.
But despite the fact that Marsch’s side battled to a 1-1 pre-season draw with Palace, William Jackson was far from impressed with the Belgian born centre-back, who was playing in the unfamiliar position of left-back, which saw the LeedsLive reporter award Struijk with a rating of 5/10: “Never looked comfortable at all at left-back. Made some poor passes and it was easily his worst showing whilst Down Under,” he wrote.
TIF Thoughts on Jackson’s comments
We believe that whilst it was not Struijk’s finest performance in a Leeds shirt, he can be given some respite in the fact that he was playing in an unfamiliar position.
The 22-year-old was trusted enough to appear in 31 fixtures for the Whites last season, scoring one goal in that time, according to Transfermarkt, suggesting that Marsch has a place in the side for him in the side, should he impress the American manager.
And judging by the fact he has played in all three of Leeds’ pre-season fixtures in Australia so far, Marsch clearly sees a future at Elland Road for the young defender.
We think that Struijk has the ability to pick himself up from a poor showing against Palace, and will be raring to go at the start of the Premier League season.