Speaking recently on a video for Leeds Live, Beren Cross discussed the performance of Leeds United left-back Ezgjan Alioski in the Whites’ recent draw with Chelsea.
So far this season, Alioski has not been in the best form for Leeds. Despite scoring two goals over his 26 Premier League appearances, the defender has averaged a rather disappointing WhoScored match rating of 6.53 – ranking him as the club’s 14th-best performer in the top flight.
Indeed, the £3.6 million-rated 29-year-old’s display against Chelsea on Saturday once again left a lot to be desired, with the North Macedonia international earning a WhoScored match rating of 6.33 for his efforts in the 0-0 draw, a rating which – other than Patrick Bamford, who was substituted due to injury in the 35th minute – ranked Alioski as the worst of Marcelo Bielsa’s starting XI on the day.
And, speaking in a recent video for Leeds Live, Cross gave his verdict on Alioski’s display against Chelsea, with the journalist appearing to be of the belief that the left-back was slightly fortunate to remain on the pitch.
He said: “Alioski – steady. He still has got errors in him, still got misplaced passes in him. I think he deserves credit because, of course, he played his part in the clean sheet as the left-back, but only a six for him today from me in the ratings.
“I think he walked the tightrope at times in that second half once he was on the yellow card. I think there were a few instances where Kevin Friend had a word with him and you did wonder whether he was going to step over the line and get himself into a little bit of bother. But, yeah, saw the game out in the end.”
Should Leeds look to move Alioski on this summer?
Yes
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TIF Thoughts on Beren Cross’ comments regarding Ezgjan Alioski…
Since joining Leeds back in 2017, Alioski has received a booking on no less than 29 occasions over his 161 appearances for the club, however, as yet, the defender is yet to receive his marching orders from a referee while wearing the white of Leeds.
However, after picking up a booking against Chelsea on Saturday, a game in which the 29-year-old committed two fouls, and with Friend reprimanding Alioski on more than one occasion, as Cross points out, perhaps he was indeed lucky not to see his maiden red card in English football in the fixture.
Therefore, Cross’ match rating for the Macedonian was perhaps a fair assessment.