Leeds United star explains why Whites will lead the way in Premier League again next season
The Dutchman is back training at Thorp Arch and is ready to make a big impression on the Premier League once again
Ed MackeyFootball Writer
Pascal Struijk battles for possession with Liverpool's Diogo Jota (Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Pascal Struijk has spoken of how Leeds United's pre-season training is "way heavier" than that of their rivals as the players have returned ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
The Dutchman played 27 times in the Premier League last term as he enjoyed his first full season with the Whites first team.
He will be hoping for more of the same over the next 10 months and he expressed how happy he is to be back amongst the squad at Thorp Arch after the majority of the players came back from their off-season breaks.
"It's been good seeing everyone again," Struijk said to the club's official website. "Seeing the staff, seeing everyone. I had a big smile on my face.
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"It's been a long time so it has been great. Everyone comes back with a smile, so for everyone, it's great to be back and let's just have a great time!"
Although he has enjoyed spending time with the players and staff, it certainly hasn't been all fun and games since returning to training with Marcelo Bielsa's infamous gruelling sessions already taking their toll.
With Leeds running further than their opponents in 37 of their 38 Premier League games last season, the fitness of the players is paramount for the style that has been implemented at Elland Road.
Only in the 2-1 away win against Manchester City were the Whites outran by an opponent and without Liam Cooper's first-half red card, they probably would have made it 38 out of 38.
Struijk said: "I always try and do some [training over the summer]. In the first couple of weeks not much, you try and relax your body for a bit then after you need to get back to it. Loads of running, little bit of fitness, to make sure you come back and be super fit.
"Our pre-season is way heavier than the normal season because when we do it and getting back to the Premier League, we are fit and ready to go, fitter than everyone else."
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Injuries to some of the club's other central defenders gave the 21-year-old the opportunity to make his mark in the top flight and he was extremely impressive, showing form that even kept captain Liam Cooper out of the side at the back end of the season.
He mentioned his drive to play a similar amount of games in the coming season but stressed that it was far from a given with strong competition for places in defence.
"I did look back at most of the games, saw some highlights. I am really pleased with how the season went and I am happy with my progress so far.
"Like last year, I want to try to get myself into the team and improve even more, then play as many games as possible.
"There are three other great players [at centre-back] so it's really hard to get yourself in the team when you get there it's even harder to stay there."
Leeds fans will be hoping that he can continue the rich vein of form he showed in the final weeks of last season as they look to better an impressive ninth-placed finish.
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