Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has backed Laurens de Bock to leave the club this summer. The 29-year-old has made just seven first-team appearances since making the move to Elland Road in January 2018.
He has since been out on four separate loans to get some valuable game time under his belt. Having spent a season at Belgian First Division side Oostende, De Bock was offered another opportunity in England with Sunderland.
However, De Bock struggled during his time at the Black Cats and was recalled, having played just five games. He spent the second-half of the 2019/20 season at ADO Den Haag, where he made just a handful of appearances before the campaign was curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The last two years, though, have been more successful for the ex-Belgium Under 21 defender, who has been plying his trade at Zulte Waregem. He has scored twice in 45 league matches over the course of the last two seasons. With his current contract at Leeds set to run out at the end of the season, Robinson doesn't think De Bock will be part of Marsch's long-term plans.
When asked about De Bock's future, the ex-England international told MOT Leeds News : "That’s a decision for the new manager to make. He’ll obviously be well-informed about the player and know exactly where he is, how many games he’s played and what level he’s at.
"It’s a decision for Jesse Marsch to look at and decide what he wants going forward. If they saw it fit to loan him out this season, with his contract ending, it was the last chance for him to either be put in the shop window to look for other employment or sign a new contract at Leeds.
"But if they see it fit to let De Bock go and let Junior Firpo stay, it’s an area they’re going to have to look at in the summer. It all depends on what the new manager wants and how much he’s seen of him.
"You may see him given a short-term contract where he starts the season at the club. I’d be very surprised if he hasn’t made arrangements for next season.
"When it’s near the end of the season, players generally know where they’re going to go so it’s probably a hypothetical conversation so unless he’s already had a conversation with Marsch, I suspect he’ll be moving on."
