Leeds United: Conor McGilligan outlines why he thinks Rasmus Kristensen is struggling to adapt

Journalist Conor McGilligan has claimed that new Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen is struggling to adapt to English football. 

During the summer, the right-back joined the Whites from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of around £10m. Since then, he has played in five of the club’s six league matches, only missing the most recent defeat.

In the eyes of McGilligan, though, Kristensen hasn’t quite yet got up to speed to life in the Premier League and he claimed it was for the best that the 25-year-old wasn’t involved in the 5-2 lost against Brentford.

He explained this when talking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, while then outlining why exactly the Dane has ‘struggled to adapt’ to his new surroundings with Leeds.

While speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, he said: “I think it was a smart decision from the club to leave him out of the firing line.

“Listen, that’s just my thoughts on it. I could be completely wrong. He could have picked up an injury. But he needed to be taken out of the firing line.

“I think he’s struggled to adapt to the Premier League, which is always going to be a natural thing from the Austrian Bundesliga – of course, it is. I mean in terms of calibre, you’re looking at maybe seven or eight leagues above that.

“So it’s not going to be you know, like Salzburg dominating football games when you come to the English Premier League. It’s not going to be you flying forward and getting assists and maybe chipping in with goals every now and again in the Premier League. It’s a completely different kettle of fish.

“Now the problem for me with Rasmus at the minute when he is playing is he’s being ultra-safe. And in a system when you are the man to provide the width in a narrow system, you cannot be ultra-safe. You have to get forward, you have to run the risk of losing the ball.”

TIF thoughts on Rasmus Kristensen and Leeds United…

McGilligan certainly doesn’t seem to be the only one to notice the defender’s questionable form. Indeed, in his player ratings for LeedsLive, journalist Beren Cross said Kristensen’s display against Everton was ‘suspect’.

And up to his point in the season, the right-back is yet to deliver any goals or assists and has only helped his side claim one clean sheet.

Comparing that with last season when he played with Salzburg, Kristensen provided an impressive ten goals and eight assists in all competitions (via Transfermarkt).

So while it is only early days yet, the defender may well be struggling to adapt to the higher quality of football in England.