These Leeds United fans have been reacting to a rather impressive stat about defender Luke Ayling from the loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Whilst the game itself didn’t exactly go to plan for Marcelo Bielsa’s men as they lost 3-0, there were a couple of notable performances sprinkled throughout, most notably from Ayling. Playing out of position due to a slew of injuries to the rest of his side by switching from right-back to centre-back, he certainly never gave up – judging by this statistic uncovered by Whites-focused site @LUFCDATA.
The 29-year-old recovered the ball 17 times, which wasn’t just the most between the two sides on the day, but it was also the most by any player from either side in any Leeds game this season, and the most by a Leeds player since Bielsa took charge back in 2018.
The stat blew a lot of Leeds United fans away, as they took to social media to show their appreciation for his effort on the day:
“He has been absolutely fantastic at CB”
Do you think Ayling can play for England in the future?
Yes
No
You do start to wonder if stats like this, especially in a tournament year, and the fact he’s doing it out of position (showing flexibility), might just be enough to give Gareth Southgate something to think about.