Pascal Struijk did always want to become part of the Leeds United leadership group
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:30, 25 Mar 2026
Pascal Struijk spoke candidly about his early thoughts on being a key squad leader
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Pascal Struijk spoke candidly about his early thoughts on being a key squad leader(Image: LUTV)
Leeds United vice-skipper Pascal Struijk has admitted he was hesitant to take up a leadership role a number of years ago but now feels more comfortable with such a role.
The defender, 26, has been on the books of Leeds for almost eight years now, having joined the academy set-up from Ajax aged 18 in 2018. Struijk is 12 games away from becoming a double-centurion for the club, having won two Championship titles at Elland Road.
The centre-back was named as vice-captain shortly after Daniel Farke’s arrival and he has since worn the armband 36 times. However, such a prospect was not always a welcome one for Struijk.
Appearing on the official club podcast, he explained: “If you asked me a few years ago - and our physio will be able to confirm this - I said I actually don't want to be captain, because I was not the type to speak out. When I go somewhere for the first time, I’m very reserved and into myself, not really loud.
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“But when I grow into the team and I get to know everyone more, I start to speak more and feel more confident and show my character a bit. The more I play, the better I play, the more I feel like I can speak and people will listen to you.”
Struijk added: “I am a bit shy and it might be my character, especially when I’m new. But I feel like once I have the confidence to start growing into a team, I feel like this is in me, it just needs to come out.”
Struijk has, more or less, been a staple in Farke’s side all the way through his tenure but this season is the first time he has played in a back three. He says this has granted him more freedom to be aggressive and showcase his passing - something he names as his under-rated skill.
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“I feel like it’s my passing - although sometimes in the games it doesn’t always come out!” he said when asked the question. “In training, I always try to look for the more difficult pass than always the full-back or goalkeeper or centre-back partner.
“I can always play station ‘A’ but I’d rather play the more difficult pass [to try and break the lines]. So I’d say passing/vision.”
“Playing in a back three? It gives me a little bit of freedom in the back of my mind. Even defending-wise, if I am aggressive, I can still be a bit more forward because we always have that one cover.
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“When we have two at the back, we are a bit more open and if I leave there is this massive hole. [In a three] they all shift over which is easier for me.”