Former Arsenal midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson did not hold back in his assessment of Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk following the club’s disappointing defeat against West Ham United.
The outspoken pundit delivered a brutal verdict on the Leeds star after what many supporters described as one of the team’s poorest defensive performances of the campaign. Leeds were completely outclassed for large parts of the match, with West Ham taking full advantage of defensive mistakes and a lack of organisation at the back. While several Leeds players struggled to impose themselves, Merson singled out Struijk for criticism, insisting the defender looked “completely lost” throughout key moments of the game.
According to Merson, Leeds never looked comfortable defensively, and he believes Struijk’s performance symbolised the wider problems currently affecting the side. The defender struggled to deal with the movement, pace, and physicality of West Ham’s attacking players, with Leeds repeatedly caught out during transitions and set-piece situations.
Merson suggested that performances like that could become a major concern for Leeds moving forward this season, especially if the team continues to show defensive vulnerability against strong Premier League opposition. He argued that Leeds lacked leadership at the back and failed to respond once West Ham gained momentum in the match.
The former England international also questioned whether Leeds possess enough consistency and composure to compete at the level supporters expect this season. While he acknowledged the club’s attacking intent, he stressed that defensive discipline remains the biggest issue preventing Leeds from progressing.
However, while Merson was heavily critical of Leeds and Struijk, he had nothing but praise for Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka following Sunderland’s impressive victory against Chelsea.
The experienced midfielder produced what many fans have called a “masterclass” display in the middle of the park, controlling the tempo of the game and leading Sunderland with authority against one of the league’s biggest clubs. Merson was especially impressed with Xhaka’s composure under pressure, tactical intelligence, and ability to dominate possession throughout the contest.
Speaking after the match, Merson described Xhaka as the driving force behind Sunderland’s performance and claimed the midfielder showed exactly why experience remains so important in high-pressure Premier League fixtures. He praised the Swiss international’s leadership qualities and highlighted how his calmness helped Sunderland remain organised even when Chelsea attempted to push forward late in the game.
Merson also credited Sunderland manager and coaching staff for building a side capable of competing with stronger opponents through discipline, structure, and work ethic. He believes Sunderland are beginning to establish a clear identity this season, something he feels Leeds are still struggling to achieve consistently.
In one of his strongest remarks, Merson claimed Sunderland currently look better prepared for success this season than Leeds United. He argued that Sunderland appear more balanced as a team, with experienced players like Xhaka helping younger stars perform with confidence and maturity.
The pundit added that Sunderland’s mentality and organisation could make them one of the surprise packages this season if they continue producing performances at the same level. In contrast, he warned that Leeds must improve defensively and regain confidence quickly to avoid further disappointing results.
For Leeds supporters, Merson’s comments will undoubtedly spark debate, particularly regarding Struijk’s role in the team moving forward. But for Sunderland fans, the praise directed toward Xhaka and the club’s growing progress will only increase optimism surrounding what could become a memorable campaign.