Leeds United leader able and willing to 'do a job' if Marcelo Bielsa's injury crisis carries on - YEP 6/1/22

-


Luke Ayling is more than happy to make up the numbers at centre-half for Marcelo Bielsa.

By Graham Smyth

Leeds United are currently without Liam Cooper, whose hamstring problem is expected to keep him out of action until March, while Pascal Struijk continues to recover from a foot problem and Charlie Cresswell deals with a shoulder issue.

Robin Koch and Diego Llorente are both fit again after hip surgery and Covid-19 respectively and played together at the heart of the defence for the first time since their summer 2020 arrival.

The Spaniard will be suspended for the Premier League trip to West Ham United, however, so unless Struijk is back by January 16 Ayling is likely to have to move inside from his right-back role.

And even with Koch and Llorente available, Bielsa needs three central defenders for any occasion that pits Leeds against a team employing a front two. That was the case on Sunday when Burnley visited Elland Road and Ayling once again put in a solid performance in the position he first learned in football, a position he's held 39 times now for Leeds.

He had more touches than any other Leeds player, taking responsibility for running the ball out from the back to get his team on the front foot and while Mateusz Klich carried the ball for a greater distance, Ayling progressed it further towards Burnley's goal.

It was an all-action display from the captain, in Cooper's absence, featuring three important interceptions, three blocks and seven wins in aerial battles without giving away a single foul.

If he looked like he was relishing playing at centre-half, it was because he was.

"I enjoy playing centre-back to be honest," he told LUTV.

"I grew up playing there for Arsenal as a kid, I spent my childhood playing there, then I got moved to right-back at Yeovil and have played there ever since. I love playing right-back and see myself playing there but I've played right-sided centre-half quite a lot in a three, which I really enjoy. If I get called upon to play centre-half whilst there's a lot of injuries, I don't mind doing it. I feel like I can do a job there, I enjoy it."

The other job he's happy to do is wear the armband while Cooper is out injured. He led Leeds out into a dozen Premier League games last season and has had to do so three times this season.

"I lead the way I've always led, even when skip's in the team," said Ayling.

"He's around the place every day and he's still the leader around here, I'm just my happy self and get people up."

Ayling's status as a leader in the Leeds dressing room was earned before the arrival of Bielsa, but the head coach has helped turn the defender into a player who can consider himself well worthy of 48 Premier League appearances.

At right-back last season he and the Whites hit the ground running in the top flight. Ayling even played himself onto the fringes of the England conversation to be namechecked by Gareth Southgate ahead of the Euros.

This season, which has been interrupted by knee surgery, has been harder for Ayling and his team.

He's certain that with Bielsa at the helm, Leeds can enjoy a second half of the season that bares a closer resemblance to the 2020/21 campaign.

"It's vital he's here," he said of his boss.

"He got us players who played in the Championship sitting ninth last year in the Premier League. Things haven't gone as to plan this year but I'm sure we can turn it around and get back to that form."

Popular posts from this blog

Patrick Bamford on the scoresheet as Joe Gelhardt nets four in 10-2 Leeds United thrashing — Leeds Press 31/7/25

-
by Kwadwo Hemeng Leeds United have had some impressive results in pre-season so far. In three games, they have failed to lose and have racked up impressive scorelines. Thursday was no different. While the first team is preparing for the next friendly against Villarreal, the U21s side, with a host of first team stars, thrashed Norweigian side Lyn 1896 10-2 in a pre-season friendly this afternoon. There were some surprising names on the scoresheet – Patrick Bamford scored, Sam Greenwood netted a brace and Joe Gelhardt scored four goals in the game. This is the second friendly the trio have featured in; they played in the friendly against Hartlepool last weekend. The trio did not make the trip to Germany, as Daniel Farke has instructed them to find new clubs. Patrick Bamford was informed after a long personal conversation with the Leeds boss. Farke then revealed this crucial information right after the club’s first game against Manchester United. According to the German coach, h...
Read more

Leeds United full-time apology, wantaway man's tunnel appearance and off-camera Villarreal moments — YEP 3/8/25

-
By Graham Smyth The YEP’s verdict and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s 1-1 draw against Villarreal at Elland Road in the club’s penultimate pre-season friendly. Leeds United are edging closer to a Premier League return with just one more friendly left to play now that a 1-1 draw with Villarreal is in the books. It was far from a thriller at Elland Road but there were positives to take, particularly for two individuals involved in the Whites goal. It was far from a good day for others, however. Here's the YEP take on Leeds' battle with LaLiga opposition. Good day Joel Piroe Another game, another goal. The Dutchman knows where the net is and with no new number 9 in the door yet, Piroe has put together a good case to start up top against Everton if the need arises. Lukas Nmecha has also looked sharp but Piroe's status as the club's best finisher appears to remain untouched. It helps that he came back for pre-season in such good shape too, because he wil...
Read more

Leeds United reveal three-man shortlist as they eye major striker signing — trio have a combined 19 Premier League career goals — Leeds Press 3/5/25

-
Image
by Kwadwo Hemeng Leeds United are playing in the Premier League next season. But with the transfer window coming up, there are still some questions about the squad that need to be answered. Starting striker Joel Piroe has been first choice over the last two seasons. And he has delivered, scoring over 35 goals. But in recent weeks, Leeds’ rumoured moves show that there may be doubt over his ability heading into the Premier League. Over the last month, the club have been linked with George Hirst, and more recently Celtic star Daizen Maeda. Wrexham are also said to be very interested in signing Patrick Bamford this summer, so Leeds will definitely sign a new striker. TEAMtalk are reporting that Leeds United have drawn up a shortlist of strikers for the summer. It includes two current Premier League players, and a former Tottenham star. But surprisingly, the trio have just 19 career goals in the competition. Whichever of them the club decides to sign will have a big say in survivin...
Read more