Leeds United man's World Cup break fails to go according to plan as busy January awaits - YEP 2/12/22

-


Rasmus Kristensen’s Denmark were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup at the group stage meaning the defender will now return to Leeds United in preparation for the resumption of the Premier League campaign

Joe Donnohue

Besides being one of the most prestigious opportunities in a player’s professional career, the World Cup was supposed to offer respite to Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen after a tricky start to life at Elland Road. The 25-year-old Danish international had become a regular starter under national team boss Kasper Hjulmand in the lead up to this year’s Finals, but failure to defeat France, Australia or Tunisia during the group stage means the Euro 2020 semi-finalists were bound for a premature exit, in the end propping up Group D.

Kristensen’s Denmark form has been positively consistent since establishing himself as a first-choice national team player, operating well against the likes of France’s Kylian Mbappe in back-to-back Nations League victories prior to facing Les Bleus at the World Cup. Featuring as a right-sided wing-back, a right-midfielder and as a more conventional full-back in a four-man defence, Kristensen has been able to showcase his tactical flexibility on the international stage.

But, Denmark’s elimination after just three matches – and Kristensen’s half-time substitution in their 1-0 defeat by Australia – means the Dane’s international posting has been cut short. The World Cup, in particular the group stage, could have provided the Leeds full-back with an opportunity to build confidence, going up against world-beating attackers, in a system that complements his naturally strong transitional attributes.

Instead, the tournament has served as a continuation of what has been a difficult bedding in period for the former Red Bull Salzburg defender. That said, there have been indications in the weeks leading up to the World Cup that Kristensen is beginning to get the hang of the Premier League. Rarely do signings from leagues as inferior in quality as the Austrian Bundesliga, adapt seamlessly. After all, England’s top flight is among the fiercest and fastest in the world.

Leeds’ calendar heading into the New Year is set to be a congested one, with a month’s worth of fixtures to fulfil that ordinarily would have been contested during the World Cup. On top of that, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II earlier this year meant fixtures versus Nottingham Forest and Manchester United were postponed and with some certainty will now be rearranged in 2023.

The Dane must now use the four weeks until Leeds’ next competitive fixture to balance rest and recovery, with preparedness, intensity and a desire to build on what was – at times – a shaky dress rehearsal. The nature of Denmark’s Qatar exit is unlikely to help him, but the player’s resolute approach should at the very least stand him in good stead as he aims to keep Luke Ayling stationed on the substitutes’ bench in 2023.

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more