Paul Robinson: Alioski has burnt bridges at Leeds United
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson doesn’t expect Ezgjan Alioski to re-sign a deal at Leeds United despite a report claiming it’s an option.
Earlier this week, Leeds officially announced that Alioski, 29, won’t be playing for the club anymore after his contract expired and he failed to sign a new one that was offered to him.
Since then, The Mirror has claimed that a Leeds contract offer is still on the table for North Macedonia international.
It would be a stunning turn of events if Alioski does, after all of this, end up penning a new contract to extend his stay in West Yorkshire.
However, Robinson feels that shouldn’t happen as he’s not good enough to get into Marcelo Bielsa’s squad now a new left-back has been signed in Junior Firpo.
“It shows there’s respect from the Leeds side but for me, that ship has sailed,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“He burnt his bridges when he was linked with Galatasaray.
“It’s an area Leeds need to strengthen because it has been a weakness. You can’t have a left-back wearing orange boots and the number 10 on the back of his shirt in the Premier League.
“Listen, the manager knows him, he knows what type of person he is, he knows what type of player he is. But he’s not good enough to get into the starting line-up.
“He just doesn’t fit. He’s not going to play left-back next season and he’s certainly isn’t good enough to get into the midfield if everyone is fit.
“It’s best for everybody that he moves on.”
Firpo’s arrival means Leeds now have one proper left-back in their first-team squad while Leif Davis is a younger option and Stuart Dallas, who can play almost anywhere, is a possibility too.
If Alioski does re-sign, then he would be no more than a squad player.
In other Leeds United news, Jamie Carragher reacted instantly to the latest addition at Elland Road.