Pascal Struijk is set to take over from Luke Ayling as captain of Leeds United now, with the right-back joining Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season – and Ayling sent him a message.
Ayling has left Leeds after seven and a half years at the club, and almost 300 games. He joins Michael Carrick’s side, where he will remain until the end of the season. His Leeds deal expires in the summer.
Ayling makes it clear in his statement on social media that he knows it is probably the end, even if he will remain on the books at Leeds until the end of the season. Pablo Hernandez and others, responded.
Struijk has been captaining Leeds for much of the season. With Liam Cooper and Ayling struggling to get into the team, Struijk has worn the armband. As Ayling goes, he will officially be our vice captain.
Struijk sent Ayling a message on his Instagram story and Ayling replied. With Ayling gone, the veteran replied by telling left-footed centre-back Struijk to “go be a leader, big fella. Keep growing and shining”.
Luke Ayling sends message to Pascal Struijk after Leeds exit
Struijk has been excellent and is showing the kind of combative, loyal, chest-out performances that is required of a captain. He has excelled with the armband. Renowned for being a quiet leader at Leeds.
He will never be the same kind of person as Ayling. But, he can still provide the same level of captaincy and leadership as Ayling, in a different way. Certainly, if Leeds do go up, Struijk is going to be pivotal.
Hopefully, Struijk will return from action ahead of this weekend’s clash against Cardiff City – with Leeds looking to get a third win in a row after victories over Birmingham City and Peterborough in The FA Cup.
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