Leeds United will be looking to wrap up their second signing of the summer this week after agreeing on a deal for Red Bull Salzburg right-back Rasmus Kristensen, according to The Athletic.
The RB Salzburg player could be reunited with Jesse Marsch, his former coach at the Austrian club, as soon as this week as it was reported that Leeds will look to move to get the deal done over the next few days.
The report goes on to state that the Whites are set to beat German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund to Kristensen’s signature having agreed to a long-term contract with the 24-year-old, who is poised to follow Brenden Aaronson from Salzburg to Elland Road.
Despite the full-back being away with Denmark on international duty, Leeds United are still reported to believe they can conclude the piece of business this week.
After injuries sustained to Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling at the back end of the season, Leeds were known to be in the market for a right-back and have moved early to get that piece of business done.
Dortmund were said to have moved earlier for the player before Leeds and Brentford swooped in, with the Dane seemingly deciding on West Yorkshire as his destination for next season, especially with his former coach at the helm.
Said to be a physical and hard-working player, the Danish full-back has enjoyed a sensational season in the Austrian Bundesliga becoming the archetypal right-back, holding a considerable influence both in his attacking and defensive phases of play.
The Brande-born player played a huge part in Salzburg’s title win, featuring in 29 games and registering an astonishing seven goals and four assists showcasing just how crucial he was to Salzburg’s play last season.
Coach Matthias Jaissle has previously been effusive in his praise for right-back Kristensen, and the five-time Denmark international has brilliantly replayed that faith and compliments with some sensational showings.
Time will ultimately tell, but there is no denying the attractive credentials of the Dane who also offers versatility, familiarity and experience both internationally and in the Champions League.
Both Ayling and Dallas have of course proven steady, capable and reliable commodities at right-back for the Whites since their promotion to the Premier League in 2020, and with the latter being utilised in several other positions since then, there was a need for reinforcements in that area and Kristensen represents the perfect addition, ready to come in and make an immediate impact on Marsch’s side next term.
As well as registering eleven goal contributions in 29 games, he’s also averaged an impressive 1.2 key passes per game whilst also creating seven big chances for his teammates.
Looking at his heatmap, Jaissle provides the Danish ace the freedom to roam in the attacking phases for Salzburg, because of his tremendous enthusiasm, tactical intelligence and also his power and size when marauding down the right-flank.
Leeds have needed such an attacking outlet on that right-hand side to complement their Brazilian star Raphinha for a long while now, and with the former Stade Rennais forward potentially departing, Marsch will need to find an attacker that could complement the abilities of Kristensen in order to enhance his side’s attacking play next term.
Lining up in a 4-1-2-1-2 shape which demands high energy, intensity and vertical passing and movement between the midfield and front-three, Kristensen is tasked in providing width, speed and a notable outlet down the right-hand side. As stated previously, he has excelled in his attacking contributions, also successfully completing 51% of his dribbles whilst registering 81.2 touches per game showing that he is reliable on the ball and also incredibly responsible with it too in the attacking phases.
More importantly, the £13.5m-rated full-back will help bolster one of the Premier League’s leakiest defences, and he will certainly to be a surefire upgrade on Luke Ayling.
Excited to see how Denmark and Salzburg’s RB Kristensen will do in Leeds, a perfect way into a top league due to the reunion with his old coach Marsch. His numbers in Austria have been brilliant, top tier chance creator and ball-progressor + his athleticism is great.
— Marcus Bring (@MarcusBr22) June 6, 2022
Indeed, the side conceded a whopping 79 goals from their 38 matches (2.07 each outing), a feat that only relegated Norwich City (84) were worse for.
In his 29 matches, Kristensen contributed to Salzburg’s tremendous defensive work as they only conceded 13 times in the regular season and registered 13 clean sheets. The full-back also successfully completed 60% of his total duels and an impressive 73% of his aerial duels suggesting he is a solid and reliable enforcer both on the ground and in the air.
The Denmark international was Salzburg’s best-performing player in the Austrian Bundesliga this term, averaging a stunning SofaScore rating of 7.31.
“He is an absolute leader on the pitch. His emotions push the whole team. As a right-back, he has a very strong offensive drive, marches up and down the line and is also a goal threat,” his boss, Jaissle, once said of Kristensen.
On the above evidence, Leeds and Marsch will be getting a reliable upgrade at right-back heading into next season, where they must avoid a disastrous repeat of 2021/22.
