Leeds United centre-back Jaka Bijol has been criticised by national media for his Slovenia performances, after his nation’s disappointing World Cup qualifiers.
United’s attention this week now shifts to Fulham away on Saturday, having welcomed back players from international duty.
It was a mixed week out in Europe for some of Leeds’ international contingent, including Jaka Bijol struggling for Slovenia.
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A £15million signing from Udinese, Bijol has yet to make an appearance in the Premier League for Leeds. That is in spite of the centre-back’s Serie A pedigree, but also due to the fact that Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk have been very hard to drop so far.
Bijol started in the penalty shootout defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, but his lack of minutes was supposedly evident on international duty with Slovenia.
(REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)
That’s according to Dnevnik, who share ratings the international break just gone. Slovenia drew 2-2 with Sweden with Bijol at fault for one of the goals, before suffering 3-0 defeat to Switzerland.
“Bijol refuses to admit that not playing in Leeds has left its mark,” the report begins, noting Bijol’s lack of playing time under Farke so far. “Jaka Bijol (180 minutes) – 6: Although he refuses to admit it, his lack of playing in Leeds is noticeable.
“After bravely competing in the air and on the ground with excellent, fast and powerful Swedish attackers, he spoiled a brilliant performance with a mistake with a poorly judged ball, which ended in Sweden’s second goal.
“In Switzerland, he fell into the average of the entire team, but was not to blame for any goals. He fluctuated between mistakes and good passes.”
Jaka Bijol needs an opportunity at Leeds United, but it’s tough to drop either centre-back
It’s clear Bijol was signed to start at Leeds. In time, we’re probably going to see exactly why he should.
That said, it’s hard to drop Rodon or Struijk on current form. For Bijol, he might have to bide his time or hope for Farke to change the formation.
This international break may well be a symptom of his lack of match sharpness. However, he was certainly not at fault for any goal outside of one heavy touch against Sweden.
Bijol’s form being overblown, even if his sharpness is justifiably being called into question.
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