'My concern' - Graham Smyth gives Leeds United Luke Ayling transfer verdict — YEP 5/1/24
Luke Ayling is reportedly attracting interest from Middlesbrough after falling down the Leeds United pecking order
By Charlie Bennett
Yorkshire Evening Post chief sports writer Graham Smyth
believes Leeds United should keep Luke Ayling for his experience in the
Championship promotion race. Reports have suggested Middlesbrough are keen on
signing the long-serving defender. Ayling has not started a Championship
fixture since October 4 due to injuries and Daniel Farke preferring alternative
options.
Djed Spence has started in recent weeks but Archie Gray was
also deployed as a makeshift right-back earlier in the campaign. Ayling’s fall
down the pecking order comes just months after being a Premier League regular
for the Whites.
The 32-year-old had been a stalwart for Leeds since arriving
from Bristol City in 2016. Almost 300 appearances makes him a firm fans’
favourite but Father Time remains undefeated and he is now rumoured to be
heading for an exit.
However, our chief correspondent Smyth has urged Leeds
chiefs to reconsider allowing Ayling to leave this month. On the Inside Elland
Road podcast, Smyth claimed the defender’s experience could prove vital, having
already been part of a United squad which achieved promotion under Marcelo
Bielsa.
“My concern if Ayling were to leave (would be) do they have
voices and the right leadership in the changing room,” he said. “Yes, you’ve
still got (Liam) Cooper and (Stuart) Dallas around the squad but, in terms of
players who are in the matchday squad, in the dressing room, in the trenches
and have been through it, there’s not many.
