Leeds United have seen a couple of players who played a role in our promotion from the Championship under Daniel Farke leave the club this summer.

Illan Meslier left United as a free agent to join Arsenal. To nobody’s surprise, the Frenchman was not included in Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad for their opening game of the Premier League season against Coventry.

Last week, Joel Piroe left the Whites to join West Ham on loan. His debut did not exactly go to plan, as despite getting on the scoresheet, the Hammers lost 2-1 to Charlton.

Another notable member of our promotion-winning squad who left this summer is Pascal Struijk. The Dutch defender joined Brighton for around £18million. Whilst it’s early days at his new club, the 27-year-old has been hit with a brutal reality check.

Pascal Struijk appears to be a backup option at Brighton

Like Leeds, Brighton kicked off their Premier League campaign with a win over the weekend.

The Seagulls scored four first-half goals as they thrashed Aston Villa 4-0.

Notably in that game, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler opted for a centre-back partnership of Luka Vuskovic and Lewis Dunk.

Struijk was an unused substitute during the game. If Brighton continue to perform like that, he will certainly struggle to break into the team.

Dunk is the club captain, so you would imagine he would start most Premier League games when he is available. Vuskovic is also likely to start most games too. The 19-year-old was signed this summer from Tottenham in a club record £46million deal.

Prior to their game against Villa, Brighton played Norwegian side Tromso IL away in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League qualifying tie. Struijk was also an unused substitute for this game; Olivier Boscagli was given the nod to start alongside Vuskovic.

It will be interesting to see if the Dutchman plays a part in the second leg at home. This game takes place on Thursday.

So after being our vice-captain and one of the first names on the team sheet, Struijk already appears to be nothing more than a squad player at Brighton. But in all honesty, it does not seem like Struijk will be missed at Leeds this season.

Tarik Muharemovic looks to be an upgrade on Pascal Struijk

Speaking on Match of the Day, Wayne Rooney was full of praise for Tarik Muharemovic after his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest.

The Bosnian was part of a United defence that looked resolute and hard to break down in open play. Leeds limited the home side’s chances for the vast majority of proceedings.

In Muharemovic, Leeds have a player who was the subject of interest from the likes of Inter Milan and Juventus. That’s the calibre of defender we’re dealing with here.

In addition to all this, he’s just 23. His pre-season performances, as well as his performance against Forest, suggest that he’s ready for the Premier League right now.

I have a feeling that by this time next summer, we will be looking at the £34million the 49ers paid Sassuolo for Muharemovic and considering it a bargain.

With Muharemovic being the only left-footed centre back we have, you would also imagine he will be in the starting XI most weeks, just as Struijk would’ve been if he had stayed. But the Dutchman looks to have given this up for the prospect of European football.

Whilst Struijk looks like he has got his wish, it looks as though he will be watching the majority of Brighton’s European campaign unfold from the bench.

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