Liam Cooper says Leeds have an ‘unbelievable’ youngster who can become ‘one of the best’ in the world

Fri 4 February 2022 18:15, UK

Leeds United captain Liam Cooper has backed Pascal Struijk to be🍬come “one of the best centre-backs” ⛎in the world.

The 22-year-old defender is one of the most highly rated young players at Elland Rꦦoad.

Struijk joined Leeds from Ajax in January 2018 and brok🦄e into the Whites first-te෴am two years later.

Marcelo Bielsa gave him🙈 a chance as Leeds marched on to the Pr𒆙emier League in 2019-20.

Two years on, Struijk has 50 competitive Leeds appearances under his belt and iꦕs a Premier League regular.

The Dutchman boasts the ki👍nd of quality and versatility that Bielsa absolutely loves.

Struijk has featu♛red at centre-back and left-ba﷽ck as well as in defensive midfield, and has impressed in each role.

And Cooper, speaking to the , waxed lyrical about his d🐓efensive teammate.

“Pascal h𒉰as absolutely everything to be one of the best centre-backs out there, he really has,” he said.

🎃“He’s unbel🍷ievable on the ball, he’s strong, good in the air.

“I always knew. We all know now. His improvem൲ent speaks for itself.”

“So many good things in just one player”

Bielsa has also praised Struijk in the past.

Following his performance in the 2-1 win over Norwich this season, the Aꩲrgentine comp🏅limented his versatility and his weak-foot ability.

“Not difficult for him to play in front of the centre-b💧acks as a DM. He did so very well against Wolves,”

“On the left of a back three he does n𓆉o🍸t suffer. Great area game, manages his right foot very well. That’s so many good things in just one player.”

Leeds certainly have a🍨 top talent iꩵn Struijk, already a proven Premier League player at just 22.

In the coming years, it’ll be great to see how he progresses under Bielsꦏa.