The Time Has Come for Jaka Bijol to Replace Pascal Struijk
22 Oct 2025 07:42 am, by YorkshireSquare
Daniel Farke finds himself at a familiar crossroads, one defined by loyalty, form, and the need for evolution. The club’s recent defeats to Tottenham and Burnley have reignited scrutiny of Farke’s loyalty and, in particular, of Pascal Struijk’s continued role at the heart of Leeds United’s defence. While Jaka Bijol was signed this summer from Udinese as a statement of intent, a defender with top-flight pedigree, leadership and composure, he has so far remained largely unused by Farke’s. With Leeds beginning to leak goals, in increasingly avoidable fashion, many are beginning to ask the obvious question: if not now, when?
The goals against Spurs were particularly frustrating, both taking deflections off Struijk, leaving Karl Darlow helpless and Leeds ruing their fortune. But luck alone doesn’t tell the whole story. In both instances, Struijk was slow to close down and positioned awkwardly, turning what could have been manageable situations into decisive moments. His difficulty in dealing with balls played behind him, highlighted even by friendly Leeds voices like Graham Smyth, has been a recurring concern. Against Premier League-calibre opposition, that half-second delay in turning or anticipating movement is all it takes for a clean sheet to vanish.
At Turf Moor, the pattern persisted. Burnley were largely second-best but punished Leeds twice, both times exploiting gaps through the middle of the defence. There was no glaring individual mistake to isolate, but the lack of communication, awareness, and compactness again pointed toward the centre-backs. For a player like Struijk, now 25 and one of the more experienced members of the squad, such lapses weigh heavily. He is not without value to the side, his technical ability and calmness on the ball remain assets. But Leeds’ defensive vulnerability is beginning to become a concern.
Meanwhile, Jaka Bijol waits. Signed for a fee that reflects both his quality and potential influence, the Slovenian was heralded upon arrival as the man to bring control and presence to Leeds’ back line. At 6’3” and with over 60 international caps, he offers the sort of authority and tactical intelligence Leeds need if they are to survive this season. His performances for Slovenia at Euro 2024 were quietly excellent. Composed in possession, dominant aerially, and decisive in his positioning. He was, quite clearly, bought to start. And yet, so far, Farke has resisted the temptation to disrupt his established pairing of Struijk and Joe Rodon.
That resistance speaks to one of Farke’s enduring traits, his loyalty. It’s an admirable quality, but one that can easily slide into stubbornness, something we saw last season with the Ilan Meslier situation. In recent weeks, that loyalty has started to look like it could become costly again. For all Struijk’s dedication and history with the club, his form perhaps no longer justifies automatic selection, not with Bijol on the bench anyway. Farke’s commitment to continuity, while understandable, now feels like an obstacle to progress. Leeds did not bring in an international-calibre defender from Serie A to sit on the bench and watch preventable goals go in.
Introducing Bijol would not only freshen the back line but also send a message, that selection at is based on performance, not sentiment. A potential partnership with Rodon has all the hallmarks of balance and stability. Rodon’s recovery pace complements Bijol’s positional intelligence; together they could provide the defensive control which has started to slip away from Leeds in recent weeks.
This is not a call to discard Struijk. He remains a capable, experienced player who can still contribute, especially as rotation becomes vital in a long, hard Premier League season. But Leeds’ recent defensive record and the manner of their concessions make change unavoidable. The Premier League punishes hesitation and rewards courage. Bijol was brought in for precisely this moment, to bring calm and clarity, and to lift the standard.
Daniel Farke has shown faith in his current back line, but faith without flexibility risks becoming folly. Leeds’ ambitions this season hinge on tightening up defensively, and the evidence suggests that continuing as is will not deliver that. Bijol was bought to make Leeds stronger. Now, he must be given the chance because if not now, when?
