Gert Verheyen responds to hype around Leeds talent Pascal Struijk

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Leeds United take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League this evening, and this is another opportunity for Pascal Struijk to impress.

The former Ajax man only played five Championship games last season as the Whites won promotion, and few could have expected him to be important this term.

However, with summer signings Robin Koch and Diego Llorente both out injured, Struijk has been called upon to start for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Playing two left-footed centre backs isn’t conventional, but Struijk has been impressing alongside Liam Cooper of late, and will almost certainly start again tonight.

Soon, Struijk will have to decide his international future. The 21-year-old was born in Belgium, moved to the Netherlands at the age of three and he can also play for Indonesia through his grandparents.

Struijk’s Premier League appearances mean he is likely to be a wanted man by all three countries; Indonesia would no doubt love to have him, whilst he does have three Dutch youth caps.

Roberto Martinez is eyeing Struijk for Belgium, and ex-Belgium international and former Oostende boss Gert Verheyen has now told Het Nieuwsblad that he wants to know Struijk’s motivation for playing for Belgium.

Verheyen seemingly feels that Struijk should have made a decision a long time ago, and whilst he is big, strong and has a fine left foot, Verheyen has played down the hype by stating ‘he’s not Virgil van Dijk’.

Verheyen wasn’t particularly impressed with Struijk’s defending against Everton last week, but did note that he played in a high line and on his weaker side, meaning he does see potential in the Leeds man – but questions whether he’s right for Belgium.

“He is a nice, big defender with a good left foot. I saw Leeds-Everton this week. He did not go free with the first goal conceded,” said Verheyen. “But he played against his foot and Marcelo Bielsa also let the defence of Leeds defend on the centre line. In any case, it is Martinez’s job to track down such guys, also because that position could be a problem.”

“He’s good, but he’s not Virgil van Dijk. I would first like to know what his motive is. You choose Belgium or the Netherlands in advance, right?” he added.