It must be a difficult period for Luke Ayling. He has lost his place in Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side to a midfielder in the form of Archie Gray – while on-loan Djed Spence is closing in on a return from an injury.
The 32-year-old has been first choice for Leeds ever since he joined the club under Garry Monk, back in 2016. For the last seven years, our starting option. Last term, he won his place over Rasmus Kristensen.
But this season, having started the season on the right, Ayling has lost his place in the side. Of the last five league games, Ayling has started just once. An unused sub in another, and a sub in the other three.
But those three sub outings have all been in injury time. Ayling is far from first choice. He might even become our third-choice option, or worse, on the right. Gray seems to be Farke’s best option right now.
When Spence is back from injury, you would suggest the England U21 man comes into the side. Jamie Shackleton, Sam Byram and Stuart Dallas can all play on the right side. Ayling’s deal expires in June.
Luke Ayling Instagram post shows why Leeds must keep him
TeamTalk do claim that Farke has opted to hand him a further 12 months at Leeds. A deal that should surface come January. While he is not first choice, Ayling proved why he deserves those new terms.
He did so, with a post on Instagram. He uploaded a picture on his story that sees him, from the bench, celebrating furiously as though he had just scored the goal himself – that saw Leeds beat Norwich 3-2.
Ayling did come onto the field of play on Saturday, but only alongside Liam Cooper on 95 minutes. But his desire, and his subsequent delight at Leeds winning despite not playing is a sign he needs to stay.
His role as a leader, his example to those that aren’t playing regularly, that is what he will now bring to Leeds. Ayling still has an impact on the pitch, but it is greater off of it – and that is why he must be kept.
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