Pundit salutes ‘Brilliant’ Struijk after ‘phenomenal’ Leeds reveal
Pascal Struijk’s “brilliant” performance against West Ham showed Leeds United exactly what they have missed in his absence, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, said the 22-year-old is an “exceptional talent”.
Struijk turned in a dominant display up against Michail Antonio in his first game since the end of November as Leeds United claimed a 3-2 win away at West Ham on Sunday (16 January).
Stat experts LUFCDATA lifted the lid on the “phenomenal” performance on Twitter post-match, revealing that the defender made the most tackles (five), ball recoveries (15), blocks (two), and won the most defensive aerial duels (four) of any player.
Whelan claimed the Belgian-born centre-back has the “physicality” to win out against any striker.
“He was brilliant,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He looked like he hadn’t been out injured at all.
“This is what Struijk brings to that Leeds United side. It’s that aggression, but it’s controlled and measured. He’s got that physicality to match up to any striker, and Michail Antonio found it incredibly difficult to get past him.
“He showed just how badly he’s been missed. He’s an exceptional talent, one of four top centre-halves at Leeds.
“We needed someone to come in and dominate a very strong and very dangerous centre-forward in Antonio. He did just that.”
Struijk was on the treatment table at Leeds United after suffering a hip injury at the end of November.
The former Ajax youngster missed five Premier League games.
The 22-year-old has been utilised at left-back and defensive midfield this term, as well as in his natural centre-half berth.
In other news, Leeds United employee delivers verdict on Cody Drameh’s future after controversial move.