When Leeds United spent over £100 million this summer, there were expectations that the team would see a lot of changes. With the Whites going up to the Premier League, some players were expected to lose their place.
The recruitment team focused on top quality players from leagues across Europe. Leeds were able to bring in the likes of Jaka Bijol, Anton Stach and Gabriel Gudmundsson. These players slotted into the team early in the season and impressed, while others took a while to stake their claim to the first team.
Early in the campaign, Daniel Farke preferred the center back pairing of Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, leaving Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw on the bench. But as the season progressed, the Leeds United boss learned how to rely on the latter as depth.
Leeds United star back on German club’s radar
But while Bijol became a huge part of the back three, and a regular in the first team, Bornauw has barely gotten minutes since the end of last year. The Belgian has played a total of three games since February. According to Sport Bild, FC Koln are keen on a summer move for the center back. The club are battling relegation this season, but the report claims that if they do remain in the Bundesliga, Bornauw will be high on their list this summer.
Koln and Leeds United reportedly reached an agreement for the defender to join the German club on loan in January, but the deal was shut down at the last minute. It is also added that any move for the Beglian in the summer will be a loan. There is currently no indication if the Whites want to sell or loan the 27-year old.
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Sebastiaan Bornauw is not to blame
Bornauw is not really to blame for lacking minutes this season; Daniel Farke said it himself at the start of the campaign. Both Bijol and Bornauw joined late in pre-season and the Leeds boss did not get enough time to properly adjust them to the team. So they both had to do their best in training in hopes of getting into the lineup. Bijol got the nod early with the switch to the back three and never looked back. When Sebastiaan Bornauw got a few starts, many fans saw how good the Belgian was. However for some strange reason, he has been left on the bench and has only featured in cup competitions. If the summer comes around, then there is a high chance the Whites could lose the 27-year old.
