Leeds United’s Promotion Push Dealt Blow as Pascal Struijk Is Ruled Out for the Season – And Possibly Faces an Uncertain Future at Elland Road
Leeds United’s 2024/25 Championship campaign has been one of determination, grit, and a relentless pursuit of promotion back to the Premier League. Under the guidance of Daniel Farke, the Whites have developed a winning mentality, carving out results in both dominant and hard-fought fashion. Saturday’s 2-1 win over Preston North End was another chapter in their compelling season — a game that not only maintained their place at the summit of the table alongside Burnley but also pushed them five points clear of Sheffield United in third.
Yet, even as the celebrations continued at Deepdale and supporters dreamt of a return to top-flight football, a cloud of concern hung over the team — the confirmed loss of key defender Pascal Struijk for the rest of the season.
Struijk, who has been a crucial figure in Leeds’ defensive line over the past few years, suffered an injury during the recent match against Luton Town. He limped off the pitch that day, prompting immediate worries about the extent of the issue. Daniel Farke initially confirmed that the Belgian-born centre-back would miss the next couple of fixtures — including clashes with Middlesbrough and Preston — but hopes of a quick return have now been dashed.
Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that Struijk arrived at the weekend fixture on crutches — alongside fellow sidelined player Joe Rothwell — confirming the seriousness of the injury. With only four matches left in the league campaign, Struijk’s season is over. And with promotion at stake, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Struijk’s absence leaves a sizeable hole in Leeds United’s backline. A calm and composed figure, capable of playing both at centre-half and as a defensive midfielder when needed, he has been one of the few constants during a season of squad rotation and tactical adjustments. His versatility has provided balance to Farke’s tactical setup, while his experience — having featured both in the Premier League and the Championship — has helped guide younger players around him.
In many ways, Struijk represents what Leeds have been trying to build in recent years: a player developed within the club’s system, who understands the culture, who’s been tested in the Premier League, and who brings consistency at a time when injuries and transitions have rocked other areas of the squad.
But this latest injury throws his long-term future into serious doubt — and not just because of the immediate blow to Leeds’ promotion hopes.
There’s been growing speculation that Struijk could leave Elland Road this summer, with Dutch giants Feyenoord expressing interest ahead of the upcoming transfer window. The 24-year-old’s contract runs until 2027, which puts Leeds in a strong negotiating position, but it also presents a financial decision that the club may have to make, especially depending on what division they’re in next season.
If Leeds secure promotion, they may look to refresh their squad with players suited to Premier League intensity — younger, more durable options who can adapt quickly to the demands of top-tier football. And if they remain in the Championship, the financial strain may require them to offload high-value assets to maintain stability. Struijk, despite his injuries, still holds significant value and could be seen as expendable in either scenario.
The concern is that this injury may not just be a temporary setback — it might mark the end of his time in a Leeds shirt. That would be a difficult ending for a player who has given so much to the club since arriving from Ajax’s academy in 2018 and breaking into the first team under Marcelo Bielsa. He’s played through promotion battles, relegation struggles, and managerial changes. But persistent injuries in recent seasons have disrupted his momentum, and it’s fair to question whether the club’s hierarchy will continue to wait for him to regain full fitness or decide now is the time to move on.
For fans, the sight of Struijk on crutches at Deepdale was a painful one. He wasn’t just missing a game — he was potentially missing the biggest moment of the club’s recent history. Should Leeds go on to clinch promotion in the next few weeks, it will be bittersweet for Struijk, who will be forced to watch from the sidelines, knowing he can’t contribute on the pitch. And should Leeds fall short, his absence may be looked back on as a pivotal moment in the campaign’s final stretch.
Daniel Farke, meanwhile, must quickly find solutions to maintain defensive solidity. Joe Rodon will now take on a greater responsibility at the heart of the back four. The Welsh international has been excellent during his loan spell from Tottenham and will be expected to lead from the back. Liam Cooper, the club captain, may also see more game time in these final fixtures, offering leadership and physicality. There’s also the option of shifting Ethan Ampadu into the backline — something Farke has done at times this season — though that would require reshuffling the midfield, where Ampadu has been a driving force.
The timing of the injury also complicates summer planning. While Struijk would usually be involved in pre-season preparations, recovery from this injury — the details of which remain unclear but serious enough to require crutches — could delay his return to full training. If Leeds are promoted, they’ll have less time than usual to evaluate his condition before key transfer decisions need to be made.
For now, the focus remains on finishing the season strong, securing the points needed for automatic promotion, and hoping that the squad stays injury-free for the final few battles. But Struijk’s situation hangs over the club like a question that no one yet has the answer to: is this the end of the road for him at Elland Road?
Whether it is or not, Pascal Struijk has left a mark at Leeds United. He’s been a quiet, composed presence through years of change. And should he depart this summer, fans will undoubtedly wish him the best — but will also rue the fact that his final act in white may have come not with a cheer, but with a limp off the field.
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