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Two players stood out for me especially during Leeds United’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United over the weekend.
Both of those players were defenders, Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic.
I thought the pair were excellent during the game for the most part, sniffing out danger whilst also being composed on the ball.
However, with the duo shining, I realised that there is one Leeds ace who is fighting an uphill battle to get back into the starting XI.
Jaka Bijol could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines this season
After signing for £15million in the summer of 2025, Jaka Bijol was our marquee centre-back signing.
However, the Slovenian found himself in and out of the team last season. Bijol started 21 of our Premier League games last campaign.
This season, he has made just two starts in the league through our first seven league games. And in all honesty, it’s difficult to see how this will change for now.
Gary Neville waxed lyrical about Muharemovic whilst on commentary for the game. That left centre-back position looks to have been completley nailed down by the Bosnian.
There was a point in the game where Muharemovic’s unbelievable technique was on display for all to see. At one point, he switched the play so nonchalantly, without the ball even leaving the ground. There was also a point in the game where he used an amazing bit of skill to bypass Man United’s press.
However, the 23-year-old was not perfect. Muharemovic should’ve been more alert and tracked the run better from Youri Tielemans in the build-up to Man United’s goal.
Elvedi has also been a rock at the heart of our defence. So there’s no way Farke can drop him for Bijol with the way the Swiss centre-back continues to perform for us.
Both Elvedi and Muharemovic are the two defenders Bijol is competing with. Farke is unlikely to play him in that right centre-back role ahead of James Justin or Joe Rodon.
This is due to Bijol’s lack of recovery pace.
But with Muharemovic being the only left-footed centre-back we have, it’s Elvedi who is the most likely to make way if Bijol were to come back into the team.
Data suggests both Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic were impressive v Man U
Although Elvedi and Bijol are essentially competing with each other to play in the middle of the back three, there is a world they could play together if Muharemovic got injured, for example, with Elvedi sliding over to the left to allow Bijol into the heart of the defence.
But at this moment in time, an injury to either Elvedi or Muharemovic looks to be the only way Bijol could break back into the team.
Not only did Elvedi and Muharemovic pass the eye test against Man United yesterday, but their data also supported the fact that they were solid against our biggest rivals.
Against Man United, Elvedi made six defensive contributions and won eight out of the 11 duels he was involved in. He also completed 76 of the 83 passes he attempted.
As well as assisting Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal, Muharemovic made five defensive contributions. He also won six of the seven duels he was involved in and also completed 72 of his 86 passes. (Sofascore)
It was expected that Bijol would be a key part of our backline in the Premier League. However, the Slovenian could find his role limited to that of a squad player this season. Particularly if Muharemovic, and especially Elvedi, continue to be solid for us at the back.
