One of the main issues Leeds United have faced this season is how leaky their defence has been. It is something that Daniel Farke needs to fix soon, because the number of goals they’re letting in could end up costing them further down the line.

As per Understat, the Whites have conceded the fourth most goals in the Premier League so far this season, with 13, an average of 1.6 per game. They have been far worse than they should have, according to their expected goals against tally. That sits at 8.68xGA, which is an underperformance by 4.32.

Farke might wish for more from one of his most experienced centre-backs, Pascal Struijk.

Struijk’s start to the season

For Leeds defender Struijk, it has been a tricky start to the 2025/26 campaign. He’s been a key man at the back this season, playing 90 minutes in all eight of their Premier League games so far.

He’s operated alongside Welsh international Joe Rodon, with the duo forming Farke’s first-choice centre-back pairing. Like Struijk, the former Tottenham Hotspur star has played every minute in the top flight this season.

However, there has certainly been more criticism coming Struijk’s way for some disappointing defensive performances from Leeds. Jake Winderman, who works for CBS Sports, accused him of “just ball-watching” when Wolverhampton Wanderers scored against the Whites earlier in the season.

That was an error which didn’t cost Leeds in the end, given they went on to win the game 3-1. However, in Sours’ 2-1 win at Elland Road at the start of the month, both Lilywhites’ goals came via a deflection from Struijk.

That can be unlucky, of course, but for Mohammed Kudus’ goal, he arguably could have closed him down sooner.

This Friday night, Leeds have a huge game against West Ham United. It may well be the case that Farke makes the bold call to drop Struijk, with someone waiting in the wings.

Leeds’ perfect Struijk alternative

It is clear that Farke has been married to the Struijk and Rodon pairing at the heart of the Leeds defence this season, even if they have been leaking goals.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

There are alternatives, with summer signing Sebastiaan Bornauw an option.

However, it does seem strange that the impressive Jaka Bijol is yet to play a single minute in the Premier League. The Slovenian star was another summer addition, with Leeds paying Serie A side Udinese £15m to acquire his services.

However, life in West Yorkshire has not been easy for the six-foot-three-inch defender. He played 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, but has been an unused sub in the Premier League so far.

That is not for a lack of credentials. Bijol is a highly rated defender, particularly impressing at Euro 2024 with Slovenia. In fact, off the back of those performances, analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “monstrous” centre-back.

His defensive numbers from that competition really stand out. Per 90 minutes, he won 1.38 tackles and made an impressive 8.77 clearances.

They ranked him in the top 11% and 3% of centre-backs from the competition.

Tackles won

1.38

89th

Interceptions

1.38

82nd

Blocks

2.31

89th

Clearances

8.77

97th

Aerial duels won

2.08

68th

It would be a bold call from Farke if he were to drop Struijk in favour of Bijol, given it would break up his first-choice defensive pairing. Yet, there is no doubt that the Slovenian star would bring excellent box defending to the Whites’ side.

Whilst he is not as much of a natural ball player, the 26-year-old reads the game well and puts his body on the line. Perhaps what Leeds need is a fresh face at the back to help try and make things more watertight.

The West Yorkshire outfit need three points at Elland Road against their relegation rivals, and starting Bijol could make a huge difference.