Leeds United centre-back Pascal Struijk has been confirmed to be out for the rest of the season after undergoing adductor surgery, further underlining the importance of Ethan Ampadu playing every minute.
Leeds’ best signing of this season was the first one that came through the doors in the summer, the £7million capture of Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea.
He looked like a considerable coup for Leeds before he even kicked a ball, but his brilliance both in midfield and centre-back has only proven that more.
Having not played since Boxing Day away at Preston, adductor problems have kept Struijk out to the point where intervention was needed this international break.
Speaking ahead of this evening’s Watford trip, Daniel Farke confirmed that Pascal Struijk has been ruled out for the season due to undergoing surgery to correct his issue (via Phil Hay):
“A decision was made, he already had his surgery.
“It was long and complicated, more than two hours, but it went well. He already started his first steps into the rehab process today. He will miss out the rest of the season but he will be back for pre-season.”
Struijk’s absence from the side hasn’t been totally felt in 2024 with Ethan Ampadu dropping into the back four, Patrick Bamford leading the line well, and Junior Firpo showing his quality on the left side of the defence – making Leeds look more balanced in and out of possession.
Ampadu’s form has meant more than anything that Struijk’s presence in the side hasn’t been as sorely missed as it could have been.
However, now we know that the Dutchman won’t feature again this season, there is even more reliance on Ampadu to not only perform at the same level he has been, but also to just stay fit.
He’s not missed a minute of action this season in the Championship, but after playing 120 minutes for Wales, he has two games in four days across the Easter weekend – a test on any footballer’s legs.
If anyone has the capacity to breeze through this gruesome schedule and come out of the other side still performing at the same level, it’s Ampadu, but it’s always a concern when you rely so heavily on someone to play every game.
