The Yorkshire Evening Post report that Luke Ayling was spotted before Saturday’s 3-0 win over Watford giving a pep talk to Leeds teammate Pascal Struijk – despite being taken out of the starting XI himself.
A third league win of the season has pushed Leeds into the top six after eight games, and 24-year-old Struijk has played every single minute of our Championship campaign so far. He has been excellent.
Illan Meslier recently described him as “class” and he has been nothing short of that. That is despite sharing three centre-back partners already; Joe Rodon, Charlie Cresswell and captain Liam Cooper.
On Saturday, Struijk helped Leeds keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the Championship – as Joel Piroe, Sam Byram, Jaidon Anthony, Dan James and Georginio Rutter did the business in the final third.
The YEP report that Ayling had a chat with Struijk ahead of the game. It comes after Ayling had been rested by Daniel Farke on Saturday. But he showed his leadership to give a pep talk to left-footer Struijk.
“Luke Ayling gave Pascal Struijk a pep talk as the warm-up was coming to a close. The right-back was left out of the starting line-up but you would not have known it from his demeanour before or during.
“He played his usual role as gee upper and despite not being on the pitch in the first half still managed to insert himself into the engagement with the officials as Watford got away with some physicality.”
Ayling gave pep talk to Leeds teammate Struijk despite axe
If you had any doubts, this is why Ayling is crucial to Leeds. Yes, sometimes his performances might not be perfect – certainly, defensively. Many would argue that on the pitch, Ayling is probably past his peak.
But he is pivotal to Leeds. He needs to be in this side, even if he is not starting every week, because of what he offers off the pitch. His contract ends next June. Does he get a new deal? One to watch.
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