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Pascal Struijk that Diego Llorente has made life easy for him as he praised the defender for the form that he has shown since joining Leeds United.
Struijk has perhaps been the biggest beneficiary from the startling number of injuries Marcelo Bielsa’s side have had to deal with in defence.
Liam Cooper is the only centre-back to have played more than Struijk this season, with both Robin Koch and Llorente sustaining long-term injuries at various stages.
Llorente returned to the fold in late February. And many of the Spaniard’s appearances have come with Struijk playing alongside him.
The pair appear to have struck up an impressive partnership – with their most recent outing coming in the superb 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Monday.
Llorente scored the equaliser at Elland Road. And Struijk suggested that he has really enjoyed playing alongside the 27-year-old.
“He’s been really good ever since he came in,” . “He’s good on the ball, driving forward, defending as well. It’s been easy, like the others really. Whenever I step in, they make it easy for me as well. Everyone, not just him, has been very good to me.”
Struijk deserves huge credit for the form that he has shown this season. Even with the 21-year-old impressing at the very end of the last campaign, some may have expected him to fall down the pecking order this year.
He is battling with internationals for Spain, Germany and Scotland. And yet, he has not looked out of place at the highest level.
He has probably had some luck in that the injuries have presented him with plenty of opportunities. But Struijk has unquestionably grasped those chances with both hands.