Leeds fans believe it is time for Daniel Farke to make a major change to his line-up when Premier League action resumes after the international break, with a hefty majority of 70% of supporters calling for the axing of an ever-present this season.<\/p>\n
The Whites have started life back in the Premier League pretty competently, with two wins, two draws and three losses from their seven matches played so far. That leaves Leeds<\/a> sat 15th in the table \u2013 but Farke\u2019s side can take heart from the fact they have already faced three sides competing in the Champions League and having competed well in six of those games, with Arsenal being the exception.<\/p>\n While Leeds have conceded 11 goals so far, five of those came in that one match at Arsenal. And in the wake of their otherwise mean defensive prowess, recent stats from Fotmob<\/a> show Leeds are sixth in the table for xG conceded (at 8.1) across the season so far.<\/p>\n As it stands, only Arsenal (4.4), Newcastle (4.9), Bournemouth (6.3), Manchester City (7.5) and Liverpool (7.9) have outperformed Leeds on that front, showing their current set-up is delivering strong performances if not quite the results to match.<\/p>\n Despite that, and following the loss to Tottenham Hotspur last time out, 70% of Leeds fans now want Farke to axe central defender Pascal Struijk from the line-up and hand \u00a318m summer signing, Jaka Bijol, a chance, seeing the Slovenian as the preferred partner to another ever-present, Joe Rodon, in the heart of the defence.<\/p>\n In a poll on X, asking fans \u2018Which centre-half partnership do you think will serve Leeds United best this season and become the one Daniel Farke settles on?\u2019 a whopping 70.3% called for Rodon and Bijol.<\/p>\n The next highest option was 25.4% which backed the current partnership to remain, while 3.5% called for Struijk and Bijol and just 0.7% opted for other, presumably thinking captain Ethan Ampadu would provide an alternative.<\/p>\n Which centre-half partnership do you think will serve Leeds United best this season and become the one Daniel Farke settles on? #LUFC<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 James Marshment (@marshyleeds) October 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In reaction to the poll, one supporter said of Struijk: \u201cHis\u00a0performances have been overrated. He\u2019s been OK most games, but never a standout.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was also outmuscled against Wolves, but a great keeper performance helped him out. Based on what I saw watching Serie A, Bijol is arguably our best centre-back. And Rodon far better than Struijk!\u201d<\/p>\n IN-DEPTH<\/strong>\u00a0\u26aa\ud83d\udfe1\ud83d\udd35\u00a0Bijol at 6\u2026 ranking all 10 of Leeds United\u2019s summer signings\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Leeds fans call on Farke to give Bijol his chance as player speaks out<\/strong><\/p>\n Bijol, who joined from Udinese over the summer in a deal ultimately worth \u00a318m (\u20ac22m, $25m), is yet to make his Premier League debut for the Whites, with his only action so far coming in the disappointing defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on penalties in the Carabao Cup.<\/p>\n Responding to suggestions that calls to axe Struijk were disrespectful, one reasoned: \u201cNo disrespect intended. We paid a lot of money for Bijol. He has a reputation for being a very good player.<\/p>\n \u201cI think fans rightly want to see what he has to offer and whether he can improve us.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, our manager also has a reputation for picking players who are out of form.\u201d<\/p>\n Another replied: \u201cIt\u2019s not about respect, it\u2019s about putting out the best 11 to enable Leeds United to stay in the Premier League. #sidebeforeself\u201d<\/p>\n Someone else added: \u201cUnpopular opinion, but Struijk isn\u2019t good enough for the Prem. Wasn\u2019t good enough last time and I feel he isn\u2019t good enough now. Good back-up option, but when you spend money on a player like Bijol, you have to play him.\u201d<\/p>\n In defence of Struijk, though, one fan explained: \u201cI just think fans think \u2018the grass is greener\u2019\u00a0 regarding a new player. Sure, I\u2019d like to see Bijol, and I guess he was bought as an expected starter, but I\u2019ve never seen him to rate him above Struijk.\u201d<\/p>\n Another agreed, adding: \u201cI went for Rodon and Struijk, as I have no idea how good Bijol is. I will judge him with my own eyes rather than be manipulated by people\u2019s perception that most likely have never seen him play too other than the cup game he played, and I wasn\u2019t particularly impressed.\u201d<\/p>\n After Bijol played the full 90 minutes of Slovenia\u2019s 0-0 draw against Kosovo on Friday night, supporters on the club\u2019s X channel hoped his chance for Leeds would soon come.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good. Will have helped to get some match fitness. Bijol is a good player and he will still have an important part to play at some point in our season,\u201d one stated, while another simply added: \u201cStart him against Burnley then!\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking while away on international duty, Bijol has expressed his frustration at the way his career with Leeds had begun so far.<\/p>\n \u201cI am certainly not happy with the current situation,\u201d Bijol admitted<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are always ups and downs. There are always slightly worse situations. You have to get over them as a footballer. I am sure that my opportunity will come at Leeds \u2013 I hope as soon as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cBut that certainly makes me much more eager for competitive matches. And I am sure that these two international matches will come in very handy, I will give my best, as always.\u201d<\/p>\n Leeds latest: Wilson deal ON; Bellamy reveals Bayern boss\u2019 Rodon admiration<\/strong><\/p>\n Bijol isn\u2019t the only Leeds player to express frustration at how the season is panning out, with Ao Tanaka also revealing his annoyance at dropping down to the substitutes bench in recent week<\/a>s and having admitted he has parts of his game he needs to improve on in a bid to catch Farke\u2019s eye and change the manager\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n On the subject of Rodon, Wales boss Craig Bellamy has revealed the admiration of the centre-half from none other than Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany<\/a>, as we take a look at how the Whites have tripled their money on the defender.<\/p>\n Finally, with the January window now 82 days away from opening,\u00a0Leeds have learned that a deal for a top target has thundered back into view<\/a>, with two sources explaining how Farke can now finally land a signing perfect for the Whites.<\/p>\n Is Rodon Leeds\u2019 best transfer bargain since the last relegation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n