Jaka Bijol in action for Leeds United, Leeds manager Daniel Farke applauding
Credit: Imago
Niall Togher
Wed 3 September 2025 11:10, UK
Jaka Bijol is one of the more exciting pieces of business that Leeds United conducted over the summer.
Given how much of a bitter disappointment deadline day was at Elland Road, it’s easy to forget that some, albeit not enough, quality signings arrived in West Yorkshire.
On paper, Bijol is one of the few ceiling raisers that Leeds added, with Lucas Perri and Anton Stach also fitting into that category.
However, Bijol has yet to play a single Premier League minute so far this season, with his only appearance being against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.
Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol
Credit: Imago
Jaka Bijol must impress on international duty to force his way into the Leeds side
Bizarrely, Bijol missed the opening game against Everton through suspension.
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As we all know, Daniel Farke can be very inflexible when it comes to his team selection at the best of times, so it was always going to be hard for Bijol to earn his Premier League debut.
Following the win against Everton at Elland Road, Farke seemingly had no reason to change a winning team going into the clash with Arsenal.
Despite being on the end of a 5-0 demolition job at the Emirates, Farke persisted with Pascal Struijk, and Joe Rodon started as Leeds drew against Newcastle, with Bijol being forced to watch from the bench.
With Leeds finally breaking their silence on social media after failing to make a signing on deadline day, they posted which members of Farke’s squad will be going on international duty.
Unsurprisingly, Bijol was called up to the Slovenia squad, who are set to take on Sweden and Switzerland during the September break.
Bijol must impress if he features in either or both of these fixtures, as he looks to break up the Struijk and Rodon partnership that has been so successful in the Championship.
It is time to send a message to Farke if he wants in against Fulham.
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How do Jaka Bijol, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk all compare ?
The common opinion within the fanbase at the moment is that if Bijol comes in for one of the two centre halves, it will likely be Struijk’s position he ends up occupying.
Whilst Struijk is silkier on the ball than Rodon and more of an attacking threat from set-pieces, Rodon is seen as the better pure out-and-out defender.
With Leeds having the bulk of the possession in the Championship, Struijk was integral in build-up, breaking lines with his passes, but as Leeds transition from being the hammer to the nail more often in games, better box defenders may be necessary in the top-flight.
Stats (2024/25 season) Jaka Bijol (Serie A) Joe Rodon (Championship) Pascal Struijk (Championship)
Appearances 34 46 35
Interceptions per game 1.1 0.6 0.8
Tackles per game 1.3 0.9 0.9
Clerarances per game 5.4 5.0 4.0
Balls recovered per game 3.0 4.0 3.5
Accurate passes per game 41.9 (84%) 75.1 (92%) 68.8 (90%)
Accurate long balls 4.1 (49%) 2.7 (58%) 2.0 (45%)
[Sofascore]
Given Struijk’s injury record, his robustness is worse than both Bijol and Rodon, who could potentially be United’s new look centre back partnership going forward.
It’s time for the Slovenian to prove that on the world stage.
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