Luke Ayling must be sold by Leeds United despite new contract after shocker in 5-1 loss v Crystal Palace
Leeds United must let Luke Ayling leave the football club this summer despite his new contract after the 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday (9 April).
The Whites turned in a fantastic first half performance but went into the break level thanks to a goal in stoppage time, before collapsing in the second half and conceding four in a shocking performance.
At the forefront of that performance was captain for the day Luke Ayling, who once again turned in an absolute stinker of a showing and was a big part in the dropped points from the game.
The veteran defender started relatively well in the game, causing a threat with his constant energy up and down the right flank but as soon as the second half began he was totally lost.
He allowed Jordan Ayew to run straight past him to score the header that put Palace ahead, and he knew it was his fault because his immediate reaction was to punch the ground in frustration.
Ayling was also beaten in one on one situations constantly throughout the game, and then was way out of position for the fourth Palace goal on the counter-attack.
It was another poor showing to add to his mistake-ridden few weeks, including the penalty he gave away at Arsenal for needlessly kicking Gabriel Jesus in the knee.
There were a few eyebrows raised when the club announced they had triggered the option in his contract to keep him at Elland Road beyond the summer, because his form hasn’t been great.
The club already signed Rasmus Kristensen to replace him, and while many people may have forgotten he exists – Cody Drameh is still a Leeds player too. We’re well stocked in the right-back position.
But a new contract doesn’t guarantee that the player is going to stick around, as Leeds proved with Diego Llorente in the January transfer window.
The Spaniard penned a new deal before Christmas only to be playing in Serie A a few weeks later, and Leeds now need to find a new home for Ayling.
He is a fan favourite and he will always be loved at Elland Road, but he simply isn’t good enough anymore at this level. If we want to be a Premier League club going forward, he simply can’t be part of the squad
In other Leeds news, Sky Sports commentator fumes at “shocking” thing he saw in defeat to Crystal Palace.