Leeds United star reveals disappointment at Daniel Farke decision with 'I've shown enough' insistence

Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol is disappointed to have been dropped by Daniel Farke but admits he must remain ready when an opportunity arrives.

Bijol was an ever-present at the heart of defence last season but has started just three Premier League games this campaign. The Slovenian was dropped after a 1-1 draw against Brentford in August, with £8million summer arrival Nico Elvedi taking his place.

Elvedi has been excellent ever since, missing just one Premier League game at Sunderland due to illness. Bijol deputised impressively at the Stadium of Light but didn’t do enough to reclaim his place in the starting-XI at Bournemouth the following weekend.

Bijol has now joined up with his Slovenia teammates for two Nations League matches, one of which will see him pitted against Elvedi’s Switzerland. And the centre-back has spoken about the challenge he faces in securing regular club football.

“The situation is a bit different than last season,” he told Slovenian outlet 24ur.com. “I'm sure I've shown enough this year, so I'm a little disappointed with the whole thing. But that's how it is, you have to accept it.

“Every footballer who doesn't play is unhappy. These are facts and I would be lying if I said anything different. On the other hand, I know that the club is doing well. I'm also happy about that, because this is an exceptional club with exceptional fans who deserve good results.”

This isn’t the first time Bijol has had to be patient at Leeds. Following his £15m arrival from Udinese last year, the centre-back had to wait until the end of October for a first Premier League appearance against West Ham.

Competition in defensive areas has been fierce even with Joe Rodon out injured and the Welshman’s return only gives Farke another weekly selection decision. Bijol accepts he must continue to work hard every day and take his chance whenever it arrives, like Elvedi did.

"I also have to have the right attitude and be right in training,” the defender added. “It can happen that everything changes overnight and you're playing the next day. That's when you have to be ready to put in a good performance.

“In football, you really depend a lot on one person, but that's just the way it is. You have to keep going and working. I've always believed that the effort in training and putting everything into your work pays off in the end.

“So far, this has always happened and I believe it will this time too. Keep your head up and keep working.”