Pascal Struijk

Key strength: Aerial dominance

Defensive anchor

In the white-hot pressure of a relegation dogfight, Pascal Struijk has emerged as Leeds United's defensive anchor. The 26-year-old Dutch centre-back, wearing the number 5 shirt with the authority of a captain, marshals a backline fighting to keep the Whites' Premier League dream alive. Sitting 15th in the table with an inconsistent LWDWD run, Leeds look to Struijk for stability—and he delivers. With 17 appearances this season and a relentless 360-minute streak anchoring the defense, he's the immovable object Daniel Farke builds around. While his stats sheet shows zero goals and just one assist, Struijk's true value lies in the battles won: commanding aerial presence and 70-rated defensive attributes that snuff out crosses before they become chances. Those five yellow cards? Badges of honor from a warrior who throws himself into every challenge alongside partner Joe Rodon. Valued at €23.2 million with a contract running until 2027, Struijk isn't just Leeds' present—he's their defensive future. As the Whites scrap for survival, his consistency could be the difference between the abyss and another season in the top flight.