Leeds United

Leeds United: Pundit lauds in-form Ayling

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Sky Sports presenter Joe Thomlinson hosted the latest episode of Football Daily’s Sunday Vibes where they discussed their top performers for each Premier League team this season. 

The panel were discussing Leeds United and their impressive return to the Premier League so far as Marcelo Bielsa’s side sit in 11th place after their 2-1 victory over Fulham on Friday night.

One name which Thomlinson picked out as one of the Yorkshire club’s top performers this season was full-back, Luke Ayling.

With the panel having discussed the credentials of Raphinha, following his bright start to life at Elland Road, and Patrick Bamford, who remains Leeds’ top goalscorer this term, Thomlinson admitted he has also been massively impressed by teammate Ayling throughout this campaign.

He said: “I think Luke Ayling deserves a shout here as well. He’s been outstanding this year for Leeds.

“Just so good at everything, Luke Ayling. I know he’s not going to get an England call-up, but he must be in consideration, I think, for one of these upcoming squads.” 

Should Ayling have been called up for England?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Ayling has started in all of United’s 29 Premier League games this season having played a total of 2,590 minutes this campaign in the league (via Transfermarkt), so he appears to have the trust of Marcelo Bielsa. The defender also ranks fifth in the Leeds squad in terms of his average match rating of 6.93/10 (as per WhoScored).

TIF Thoughts on Thomlinson’s comments…

Unfortunately for Ayling, England have a ton of options at full-back which was seen this week as Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was not included in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup qualifiers squad.

However, if Ayling, who is valued at £4.5 million (as per Transfermarkt), does not make the Euros squad, it does not take away from his performances in the top flight, having received high praise from his manager during the campaign – which is surely a sign that he is indeed having a fine season.

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