Leeds United had a poor weekend in the Premier League after losing 2-0 to Burnley – but events in the top-flight on Monday have made Daniel Farke’s next team selection a lot easier.
Goals from Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna saw Leeds lose their fourth game of the campaign, in what was dubbed a relegation six-pointer for Daniel Farke.
The Whites will now turn to a clash vs West Ham United on Friday night in another huge game down at the bottom end of the Premier League table.
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And if the German had watched the Irons’ performance on Monday vs Brentford, there is no excuse for him not to bring Jaka Bijol into the starting XI to deal with West Ham’s dreadful defending at set-pieces.
Jaka Bijol of Leeds United passes the ball whilst under pressure from Chido Obi of Manchester United during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Strawberry Arena on July 19, 2025
Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images
Daniel Farke must utilise Jaka Bijol’s aerial prowess for Leeds vs West Ham on Friday
Brentford didn’t actually benefit from a set-piece against West Ham, but they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at the London Stadium regardless.
The Bees had four big chances in the first half alone, racking up 15 shots by half-time.
That turned into 22 by the end of the game, with just three coming from outside of the area – showing West Ham’s inability to deal with aerial threat and direct passing.
It’s been an issue for them all season under Graham Potter who was sacked in late September, and Brentford – who are known for utilising long throw-ins – got their reward with two direct goals.
With that in mind, Leeds need to follow suit with taller players being included in the lineup at Elland Road on Friday.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin joined Leeds in the summer and he could be a dream in the penalty box, given that he was joint-fourth in Premier League aerial duels won last season, winning 3.3 per game, per WhoScored.
Calvert-Lewin was praised by former Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for being an ‘incredible specimen’ in the air during their time on Merseyside.
Bijol, by contrast, won 3.2 aerial duels per game for Udinese last season. And, with only Sepp van den Berg winning more aerial duels for Brentford this season, it’s a route that Leeds must take advantage of.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke acknowledges the crowd after drawing vs Newcastle
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Leeds should have included Jaka Bijol in their starting XI already
Leeds’ two goals they conceded against Burnley could even have been stopped if Bijol had been in their starting XI.
A cross into the area wasn’t dealt with by Pascal Struijk or Joe Rodon, allowing Lesley Ugochukwu to nod home unmarked from six yards.
Furthermore, nobody closed down Loum Tchaouna for Burnley’s second, despite it being a Goal of the Month contender, and that defensive organisation may be improved with Bijol in the side.
Bijol signed for Leeds from Udinese for £18.7million in June, but he’s yet to feature for the club in the Premier League – having been suspended for their first game of the season owing to a red card for Udinese last season.
His only outing was the Carabao Cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday back in late August.
However, eight goal contributions in 90 games for Udinese shows he has some prowess going forward and that, along with Leeds’ defensive frailties, means he needs to come in.