The topic of captaincy at Leeds United for the upcoming season hasn’t been broached yet, but Pascal Struijk would be honored to take over from Liam Cooper. Struijk had previously worn the armband when both Cooper and Luke Ayling were unavailable last season, making him a strong contender for the permanent role.
Daniel Farke, on Friday night, hinted at the end of Cooper’s tenure at Elland Road after nearly a decade, suggesting that Leeds United will need a new leader in the dressing room. When Struijk was sidelined due to injury, Ethan Ampadu took over the captaincy and is likely another leading candidate in Farke’s consideration.
Struijk has been with Leeds since January 2018 after joining from Ajax and initially playing under-23 football under Carlos Corberan. The 24-year-old has since progressed under Marcelo Bielsa, amassing 121 appearances and becoming one of the longest-serving players.
“We haven’t had the conversation yet, but if it’s me, I’ll be really proud to wear the armband,” he told LeedsLive. “I’ve been here for a long time and have enjoyed my time. If it happens, I would be very proud and grateful.”
Struijk is particularly eager for the match against Portsmouth next month, as it will mark over seven months since his last competitive game. He last played on Boxing Day, scoring a late penalty at Deepdale, but a groin injury that didn’t respond well to treatment required surgery, ending his season prematurely. Watching from the sidelines was tough for him.
“[The rehab was] mostly boring,” he said. “You want to help the team, especially during crucial moments. It’s hard not being able to contribute, but I did everything I could to regain fitness. Unfortunately, I wasn’t ready for the last few games of the season, but I’m fully prepared for this season.”
Struijk has participated fully in pre-season from day one after recovering from surgery. He spoke to the media following an intense and committed first session in Germany.
“The first day here in Germany was a really good session, reflecting the high level of our pre-season training,” he said. “We aim to be the fittest and strongest team as we enter the league.”
Struijk has a young family in the UK, and while it’s challenging to leave his partner and child, he acknowledges the benefits of training camps, where players bond over nine days, especially with new faces like Alex Cairns, Joe Rothwell, and Jayden Bogle.
“Pre-season is great because it brings everyone together,” he said. “It’s tough being away from family, but it’s good for team bonding, especially with new players. A strong team can achieve a lot.”
