Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, Leeds badge
Leeds United have Jaka Bijol returning from injury ahead of a crucial clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Leeds United face a stern test at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, and Daniel Farke’s team selection is expected to deliver a clear message about his defensive hierarchy.
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With the fit-again Jaka Bijol expected to slot straight into a back three, the decision will be a challenging reality for one of the summer’s signings.
Sebastiaan Bornauw has endured a tough start at Leeds United
Sebastiaan Bornauw arrived from Wolfsburg for a reported £5.1 million last July, brought in to add depth and physicality to Leeds’ back line. However, injuries early on disrupted his integration into the team.
More importantly, Farke’s reliance at the start of the season on the established pairing of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk further limited his pathway, particularly when Leeds primarily played with four at the back.
Now, even with Leeds regularly deploying a back five, Bornauw’s prospects remain dim. For the crucial trip to Chelsea, Farke will likely select Rodon, the versatile James Justin, a natural full-back, and Bijol to replace the injured Struijk.
The fact that a recently returning player from injury and a converted full-back are preferred options ahead of Bornauw is a significant indicator of his current standing in the United squad.
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Data suggests Sebastiaan Bornauw’s involvement at Leeds has been limited this season
The statistics from his debut season highlight his lack of involvement.
Bornauw has managed just 260 minutes of Premier League football across eight appearances, with only three starts.
His average of 33 minutes per game, 0.5 interceptions and 0.6 tackles per appearance paint a dismal picture of a player yet to find his footing or the manager’s trust.
The reality is a brutal one for the Belgian. When a manager opts for a player just back from injury, and another playing out of position over a specialist centre-back bought for a multi-million-pound fee, it is a harsh reality check.
Barring a crisis, his role appears to be that of a distant squad player. In a high-stakes relegation battle, Farke is relying on known quantities, leaving Leeds’ £5.1 million defensive addition watching on from the bench.
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