Gabriel Gudmundsson can consider himself unlucky for last weekend’s own goal against Fulham, but arguably, Jaka Bijol is the unluckiest player at Leeds United right now.
Captaining Udinese last term, Bijol was largely seen as one of the club’s biggest and most exciting moves in the transfer window. A brute of a centre-back, the Slovenian defender was bought for a sizable £15m.
It was widely expected that Bijol would slot in alongside Joe Rodon at centre-back and that would be the duo that looked to keep out their opponents, in the fight for safety in the Premier League this season.
But a one-game suspension was carried over from his time in Serie A, and it meant that 6ft 4in defender Bijol was missing from the game against Everton. It meant Pascal Struijk had the chance to impress.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesDaniel Farke shares his honest feelings on Jaka Bijol’s game time
Bijol has only made one appearance for Leeds, and it came in the Carabao Cup where only Jayden Bogle really made any kind of impression. Leeds were knocked out of the competition after a penalty shootout.
With Struijk likely to start against Wolves on Saturday and Bijol once again on the bench, Farke was asked about Bijol and his lack of game time. Farke explained the reasons for Bijol having to remain patient.
“For 80% of clubs in the Premier League, if you sign a centre-back for £15m, it is probably a project. For us, it is a marquee signing. We are, and I am, 100% convinced with Jaka,” Farke told reporters today.
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“But it is never like there is always one name written on the team sheet just due to his transfer fee or salary, or name, or CV. It depends what happens on the pitch, in the games, on the training pitch.
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“I like Jaka a lot. But he wasn’t available for the first game. That means for the last two games in pre-season, you go with the team you’re going to name on the first game day. Jaka missed big parts of this.”
Daniel Farke praises Pascal Struijk and explains the situation
Farke continued by heaping praise on both Rodon and Struijk, making it clear they have basically kept three clean sheets in four Premier League games – although, the fluke own goal at Fulham was unlucky.
“Really good performances from our defenders. Rodon and Pascal there with outstanding performances. If you play well, you keep your place. He [Bijol] will be a very important player for us,” Farke continued.
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“For the medium and the long-term. Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, well done. If you have to praise a player, then they are doing well, they should keep their place,” he said. Then, summarising: “It is my decision.”
Bijol may have to wait for an injury to Struijk to finally get his chance and then had the difficult task of immediately getting up to speed. However, Struijk’s injury record does suggest he won’t be waiting long.
For now, Bijol will have to contend with waiting on the substitute’s bench. For Sebastiaan Bornauw, the wait is likely to be even longer following his £5m move from Wolfsburg, clearly Farke’s fourth option.