---
title: "Leeds: Rasmus Kristensen has ‘fight on his hands’"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-premier-league-rasmus-kristensen-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2023-02-25T12:40:56Z"
modified: "2023-02-25T12:40:56Z"
---

# Leeds: Rasmus Kristensen has ‘fight on his hands’

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) right-back Rasmus Kristensen has a ‘fight on his hands’ to nail down a regular place in the team, according to journalist Dean Jones.**

### The Lowdown: Kristensen battling for playing time

The 25-year-old made the move to Elland Road from RB Salzburg last summer, seemingly coming in as an upgrade on fellow right-back Luke Ayling.

Having started the season as a regular, Kristensen has found himself in and out of the side, however, only [starting 13](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/302812/Show/Rasmus-Kristensen) of the Whites’ [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) games.

In fact, the last [full 90 minutes](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/302812/Show/Rasmus-Kristensen) he played came against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup last month.

### The Latest: Journalist discusses ‘fight’ for place

Speaking to [*Give Me Sport*](https://www.givemesport.com/leeds-latest-news-40k-a-week-star-has-fight-on-his-hands-elland-road/), Jones admitted that Kristensen faces a battle to win his place back, following Ayling’s improved form:

> “It means he’s got more of a fight on his hands than he probably first expected when he came in.
>
> “But I’d be surprised if anyone thought that Luke Ayling was just going to happily be on his way and leave Leeds United.”

### The Verdict: Good for squad depth

In many ways, it is a surprise to see Kristensen struggling for playing time, considering he came in as a younger alternative to Ayling and someone who could put him out to pasture.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“418869″\]

The [£40,000-a-week](https://www.spotrac.com/epl/leeds-united-fc/rasmus-kristensen-78260/) defender has increasingly struggled as the months have passed, however, and Ayling deserves credit for finding an extra gear at the same time.

This is a healthy selection headache for new manager Javi Gracia to have, though, and the fact that he has two good right-backs at his disposal can only be good for squad depth.

Kristensen, who has been [hailed](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-news-rasmus-kristensen-25229593) a ‘top-class’ by Noel Whelan, will now hope that he can impress his new manager and win back his place over time, having averaged [2.7 tackles and 2.2 clearances](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/302812/Show/Rasmus-Kristensen) per game in the league this season.