Leeds United have made a solid start to life back in the Premier League, with a few of their summer signings having a real impact on the team. However, the story is very different for a couple of their recruits, who are facing a very different challenge at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke is a big fan of consistency in selections, and the Leeds manager has often frustrated fans and some of the fringe players in the squad by sticking to the same set of personnel.
Leeds’ good start to the season in the Premier League has given the manager a reason to double down on his methods, and one can almost write down the starting eleven that will take the pitch against Tottenham at Elland Road in the early kick-off on Saturday.
The Leeds players have given the manager no reason to change his set-up, and they look far too settled for the German to tinker with the system, formation or personnel at this stage of the campaign.
Slovenia boss exposed Jaka Bijol’s issues at Leeds United
Jaka Bijol joined Leeds for a deal worth £15m in the summer and was seen as a starting eleven defender in the squad. However, things have panned out differently.
He was suspended for the first Premier League game of the season, and Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon have been far too solid at the back for Farke to want to change.
The Slovenian has found himself in an unfortunate situation, and his international boss, Matjaz Kek, conceded that he has problems at Elland Road that he may want to get away from during the international break.
He also stressed that the centre-back has an opportunity to prove people wrong with his performances for Slovenia.
“Bijol, Stojanovic and Sesko have more problems in their environments”, Matjaz Kek told the local Slovenian daily Dnevnik.
“But now they play for the national team. I expect that these everyday problems will go away here. The national team is also an opportunity to prove someone wrong.”
Kek also understands why Bijol is not playing much as he feels Farke does not need to change a team who are looking solid.
Can you name these 10 former Leeds United goalkeepers?
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