When Leeds United signed Jaka Bijol, they knew what they were getting. A big, powerful centre-back boasting leadership qualities and a threat in both his own box and in the opposition’s area.
Daniel Farke described the £15m deal to secure his signature from Udinese as a “marquee signing”. This was a player who captained Udinese at times last season and won the fourth-most headers in Serie A.
A player with more than 60 caps to his name. If Leeds had signed a player of similar stature from a Premier League club, it would surely have cost double the fee that Leeds paid to move him to Yorkshire.
It is a surprise that it took until Friday night for Bijol to make his Premier League debut, but the defender grasped it as Daniel Farke brought Bijol with Pascal Struijk suffering from illness. A very solid display.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesJaka Bijol was the best player on the pitch for one surprise stat
Farke will have hoped for Bijol to show his aerial dominance against West Ham and perhaps, even get his head on the ball from a corner. But actually and surprisingly, it was Bijol’s passing that earned plaudits.
Struijk is renowned for his left-footed ability on the ball, and if there is one area which Struijk betters Bijol, it is probably with the ball at his feet. That’s why one key Bijol stat will have surprised and delighted Farke.
Bijol was the most accurate passer of the ball against West Ham, completing 93% of attempted passes. The Slovenian found his man 53 times out of 57, while Joe Rodon and Freddie Potts had a total of 92%.
If there were any concerns about Jaka Bijol, he’s answered them
Struijk had started the first eight Premier League games of the season, and if there was a reason for it, it might have been because of Struijk’s ability on the ball and his knowledge of Premier League football.
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Well, Bijol has shown he is just as good on the ball, if not better, with his performance against West Ham, and now, he has experience of England’s top tier. Bijol is first choice now and it will remain that way.
Brighton is next for Leeds and it will be Bijol’s first experience of the Premier League without the backing of Elland Road. Indeed, it will be his job to keep in-form Danny Welbeck and Georginio Rutter quiet.