Former Leeds United star Jon Newsome acknowledges that Pascal Struijk might struggle to reclaim his spot in the team even upon his return to fitness, given the impressive form of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu as a defensive duo.
Rodon and Ampadu showcased their solidity once again in Leeds’ 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Despite Ampadu’s positional shift due to Struijk’s injury, the Welsh pair has excelled together in the heart of the defense.
Struijk is set to make a comeback after the international break, but Newsome believes that breaking up the partnership between Rodon and Ampadu would be unnecessary at this stage of the season. He emphasized their outstanding performances and the chemistry they’ve developed.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after the match, Newsome expressed his doubts about Struijk displacing Rodon and Ampadu, highlighting their consistency and effectiveness since Ampadu’s deployment as a center-back.
With Leeds enjoying a superb run of form, manager Daniel Farke might hesitate to tinker with the lineup, further complicating Struijk’s path back into the starting XI.
