Jaka Bijol: Stats show Leeds star continues to perform as Croatia beat Slovenia

Jaka Bijol will be among the Leeds United stars not heading to this summer's World Cup.

Slovenia narrowly missed out after struggling in their qualification group, despite having the benefit of several in-form players.

Benjamin Sesko, Zan Vipotnik and Bijol all enjoyed strong club seasons and will now be due for a summer of recovery.

The Leeds man has been the subject of interest elsewhere in the Premier League, but represents a vital cog in Daniel Farke's team.

He played as Slovenia were beaten 2-1 by Croatia on Sunday, with Mario Pasalic's stoppage-time winner separating the sides after goals from Luka Modric and Andraz Sporar.

Jaka Bijol's stats in late Croatia defeat

Football Insider exclusively revealed in February that Leeds would consider offers for Bijol if they were significant enough this summer.

The 27-year-old only arrived at Elland Road last summer and has enjoyed a fine first season in the Premier League, although it did not start so smoothly.

Farke was initially reluctant to play the defender, leaving him on the bench until the end of October, when Leeds beat West Ham.

There was no looking back after that, and Bijol would only be missing for a brief section of the remaining games when he suffered a muscle injury.

The Slovenia international's emergence at Leeds has been particularly important considering the uncertainty surrounding Pascal Struijk.

The 26-year-old is attracting interest this summer with his contract due to expire in 2027, with an extension not yet looking to be in sight.

Bijol put in a fine performance for his nation on Sunday, featuring for just over an hour and making several defensive contributions.

The Leeds man made a tackle, two blocks, three clearances, an interception and won all but one of the duels he contested.

Bijol among crucial Leeds group

Leeds will inevitably be forced to fight off interest in several of their players this summer, after a strong campaign.

Along with Bijol and Struijk, there may also be interest in the likes of Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka.

But it is crucial to both the Leeds project and Farke's success that his squad is kept together this summer.

While the Whites have stayed in the Premier League, they now face the difficult task of establishing themselves in it.