Pascal Struijk played the majority of last season acting as a central defender for Leeds United. It was the same the previous season, but during the current campaign manager Jesse Marsch has changed how he uses the player.
The 23-year-old has been operating as a left-back and his agent believes that could help him secure a place at the World Cup, given he’s showing versatility that Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal is known to be a fan of.
Struijk has been included in Van Gaal’s provisional squad for the World Cup, and now faces a fight to make sure he’s on the plane to Qatar with the Dutch side.
Tim Vrouwe, who works for Forza Sports Group and represents the Leeds United player, is quoted by SoccerNews as saying: “At Oranje they play with five at the back and at Leeds with four. I think it’s good that he plays as a left-back at Leeds.
“That shows that he is versatile, something Van Gaal appreciates in players. He focuses on the position of central and left central defender, and left-back position. He could also play as a ‘six’, where he often played at Leeds, but that is his least favourite position.”
The player himself believes he’s still getting used to operating at left-back and is building his game there. He was quoted earlier by Voetbal Primeur as saying: “I now play at left back, which is new for me. I am developing in this position.”
Having been at Leeds United since 2018, Pascal Struijk has a contract at Elland Road until June 2024.
