Leeds United

3 qualities Leeds United’s Rasmus Kristensen will bring to Denmark during the World Cup

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Leeds United‘s Rasmus Kristensen is heading to the World Cup 2022 with the Danish national team.

Denmark find themselves in the same group as the reigning champions, France, but Kristensen’s side will go into the tournament full of confidence having won their last two games against Didier Deschamps men in the Nations League.

He jets off to Qatar hoping to make it out of Group D which also contains Australia and Tunisia. The Dane is one of only three Leeds players representing the Whites at the tournament with teammates Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson also jetting off with the USMNT.

But what will Kristensen bring to his side during the World Cup? We take a look at THREE qualities here…

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Physicality

At 6’2″, Kristensen is one of the tallest full-backs heading to the World Cup.

Not only is he tall, but he is very strong as well. He joins a Danish backline which includes the likes of Simon Kjaer, Andreas Christensen, Yusuf Poulsen, Joachim Andersen, and Andreas Cornelius. All of whom stand at well over six-foot.

Denmark have an abundance of quality set-piece takers, too, with the likes of Christian Eriksen, Mikkel Damsgaard, and Robert Skov in the squad.

A clear game plan is beginning to emerge for Kasper Hjulmand, and Kristensen’s height and sheer physical size could be beneficial for overloading the opposition’s box in these moments.

Running power

LEEDS, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Rasmus Kristensen of Leeds United battles for possession with Philippe Coutinho of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Aston Villa at Elland Road on October 02, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Kristensen is also fairly quick, for man of his size and build.

It is not his speed which makes him difficult to stop, though. It is his running power. The Dane is physically robust and that combined with a turn of pace is what makes him so hard to engage once he starts covering distance.

In Denmark’s system this will aid him getting up and down at right wing-back, but should also give him lots of space to hit, too.

Engine

Kristensen’s engine is his most useful attribute in this role, though.

He is not lacking in intensity and effort. As a member of Jesse Marsch‘s squad at both Leeds and Red Bull Salzburg, he is well versed in counter-pressing and aggressive off the ball football.

He covers lots of distance every game, and is capable of being the wide outlet that his side need, should he be called upon. His relentless up and down running will be particularly useful in games against better sides deeper into the competition when Denmark look for quick turnovers and try to hit the opposition in transition.

Will Kristensen be a good signing for Leeds?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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