“Yes, I’m staying…I’m always ready to give my all for this club”- Good news as Leeds defender openly confirms decision to stay at Elland Road this summer despite club’s relegation
Amid a huge clear out of players at Leeds United following their relegation from the Premier League, Pascal Struijk has revealed he will be staying at the club this season when speaking to Graham Smyth via the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The journalist asked the defender about his future on 26 July, and Struijk was firm about his future, revealing he was always going to stay at the club for the coming season, and is ready to give his all for the club as they reach for promotion.
Phil Hay revealed in The Athletic [1 June] that Leeds were anticipating moves for Struijk this summer, as there was a fair likelihood he would be one of a number of players to depart Elland Road in this transfer window.
Speaking to Graham Smyth via the Yorkshire Evening Post, the central defender was asked about how he dealt with the club suffering relegation last season, and he admitted: “Over the summer, I try not to think about football because that’s not the time when I want to be thinking about football when I’m enjoying with my family.
“So for me, it took a little while [to get over relegation].”
He was then asked about his future at the club, where it was revealed: “I mean, my contract is until 2027 so I’m always ready to come back and then give my all for this club, so yes [I was always going to stay].”
The news of Struijk’s future will be a huge benefit to Farke and everybody associated with the club. Keeping as many of last season’s squad around the club as possible with give them the best chance of achieving promotion at the first time of asking.
Having already left Elland Road last summer are big-name players such as Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca and Rasmus Kristensen, most of whom have left the club on loan due to clauses in their contracts.
News of Struijk’s staying will allow the club to focus their attention on other areas of the squad. While they will likely still strengthen in defence, there is not as much emphasis on the position due to the Dutch player’s presence.
Ethan Ampadu is a recent arrival at Elland Road, having signed from Chelsea as the first arrival of the 49ers era, and has made his favoured position clear – he wants to be a midfielder. Struijk staying will be good news for him, as it makes it all the more likely he will play his favoured role.
