Harvey Barnes, Gabriel Martinelli, Wilfried Zaha. Rasmus Kristensen has faced them all in what’s been a baptism of fire with Leeds United that’s finally settled into some decent, steady form.
Kristensen stood out as the exception to the rule United’s summer signings had to make a positive impact. An encouraging pre-season gave way to some concerning Premier League form until that meeting with Zaha at Selhurst Park in early October.
Leeds lost the match, but the Denmark international was arguably their man of the match on a day Zaha, Crystal Palace’s talisman, did not get a sniff. Kristensen’s gone from strength to strength, in the main, since then and now has been one of only four Leeds United players to play at the World Cup.
READ MORE: Eye-watering Man United sale price expected amid Leeds United takeover chatter
Head coach Jesse Marsch does not feel it was a poor start for the 25-year-old. He does feel full-back can be one of the hardest roles to play on the pitch because opposition wingers can be the best players on an opponent’s side.
“Adapting to the league, I wouldn't say he had a slow start,” said Marsch. “Up against Wolves, he was pretty solid. In pre-season, he was very good.
“Obviously, the level of the league and then the fact the full-backs in this league sometimes have the hardest task, because the winger position in almost every team is usually equipped with the best players from teams and opponents.”
Aggression, Marsch feels, has been key to how Kristensen has now matched the pace of the division. Muscle memory of a previous transition under Marsch in Austria has also played its part.
“The key for him has been he's been more aggressive against the ball and with that he's shown more competence and more self-belief and he's gone after it in a bigger way, physically, mentally, everything,” he said.
“With the way I like to coach, and manage aggressiveness, it's key and we can't have passive players on the pitch. He's gone through that with me already in Salzburg and he just had to readapt to another level of what the quality is and then start to exhibit more and more what I know he has.”
READ NEXT:
Depth and difference makers delivered by Victor Orta as Leeds United's summer transfers assessed
Leeds United's Mateo Joseph being touted for surprise international call-up ahead of tournament
Leeds United transfer plans coming together as Jesse Marsch hints at changing January habit
Leeds United need to maintain transfer momentum ahead of another key window
