New Rasmus Kristensen twist emerges after week of highs and lows at Leeds United

Leeds United right-back Rasmus Kristensen has been named in Denmark‘s squad for the upcoming fixtures against Finland and Kazakhstan.

Kasper Hjulmand named a 23-man squad last Tuesday where Kristensen was left out of the squad, despite his exploits with Denmark during the World Cup in Qatar during the winter.

Her er de 23 spillere, der skal kæmpe for Herrelandsholdet i årets to første EM-kval-kampe 🤩

Inden længe går det løs, når Finland kommer på besøg i Parken, og vi skal en tur til Kasakhstan i jagten på point i EM-kvalifikationen 💪 pic.twitter.com/woPvkansHi

— DBU – En Del Af Noget Større (@DBUfodbold) March 14, 2023

Kristensen has made 20 appearances for the Whites this season, scoring his first goal for the club over the weekend when he came on as a substitute and notched after just 23 seconds at Molineux during Leeds’ 4-2 win.

The big updated Rasmus Kristensen quiz – Can Leeds United fans score 20/20?

Why the late call-up for Kristensen?

There has been no late injury, Hjulmand has called-up Kristensen later than the inital squad.

Leeds United official website gave a potential rationale, their announcement stated that: “Following his goalscoring exploits on Saturday, Rasmus Kristensen has been added to Denmark’s squad to face Finland and Kazakhstan.”

The right-back will be hoping to add to his 13 caps for the international side. The Danish announcement added: “Addition to the Men’s National Team. National coach Kasper Hjulmand has selected Rasmus Nissen Kristensen from Leeds for the EC qualifiers against Finland and Kazakhstan. We look forward to seeing you.”

Tilføjelse til Herrelandsholdet 🇩🇰

Landstræner Kasper Hjulmand har udtaget Rasmus Nissen Kristensen fra Leeds til EM-kvalifikationskampene mod Finland og Kasakhstan.

Vi glæder os til at se dig, NK 💪

📸 @fbbillederdk #ForDanmark pic.twitter.com/imssmYrp9C

— Fodboldlandsholdene 🇩🇰 (@dbulandshold) March 19, 2023

Denmark’s Euro 2024 qualifiers begin with a game against Finland on Thursday 23rd March. Kristensen will then travel with his teammates to Astana in Kazakhstan, where Denmark will play on Sunday 26th March.

A slightly strange one, if a defender has been called up off the back of scoring a goal.

It’s easy to see why he was initially left out, given he has been more periphery for a while now with Leeds. Luke Ayling has usurped him in the right-back spot and made it his own.

However, a goal and call-up may be just the confidence booster Kristensen needs to get back on track. He made a difficult start to life at Leeds but had been in decent form heading into the World Cup.

Since then has been a story of frustration for the Dane, though; but this could be just the tonic he needs.