Rasmus Kristensen has had a rough loan spell at AS Roma.

 

 

Leeds United fans were unconcerned when Rasmus Kristensen left the club on loan in the summer. Signed from Red Bull Salzburg a year ago, the Denmark international never reached the heights expected of him at Elland Road, and with all the players who have departed on loan in recent months, Kristensen is unlikely to top any’most missed’ list.

Leeds will certainly hope so, having signed Djed Spence to play alongside Luke Ayling at right-back. While Leeds do not appear to miss Kristensen, his new club AS Roma do not appear to miss him either, with the plater dropped from their Europa League 25-man roster.

Kristensen’s probable absence is due in part to FFP, and he will still be part of the Serie A squad, but how much he will really play is now in doubt. The 26-year-old Dane has been taken off in both of his Serie A starts this season and did not come off the bench in the most recent game as Jose Mourinho’s men struggle to find their feet in the Italian top flight.

Members of the Italian press have now criticized Kristensen’s performance. Former Italian player Roberto Pruzzo says the defender has just not been good enough, according to Radio Radio Mattino 104.5. “I wasn’t surprised to see him not on the list,” he remarked. His performances fall short of all expectations. It appears to me to be an appropriate choice. Let’s hope these players can recuperate in time to assist. Roma can only respond on the field; we must wait.”

Despite some rumors about a possible return to Leeds following his exclusion from Roma’s European team, Kristensen is unable to return and faces a difficult season in Italy unless he can turn things around in Mourinho’s eyes.