Daniel Farke kicks off plans to axe Luke Ayling at Leeds United for good after Djed Spence transfer
Leeds United veteran Luke Ayling has come under major scrutiny at Elland Road in recent months and it seems as if Daniel Farke has already begun plans to axe him for good after the signing of Djed Spence.
Nobody can dispute the full-back’s commitment to the Whites’ cause, which is more than can be said for some currently, but the 31-year-old has certainly come under fire recently after some haphazard performances which has cost Leeds on numerous occasions.
Former Eurosport journalist Dean Jones claimed on GiveMeSport on 6 September that the Elland Road veteran could lose his place in the team following the arrival of the Tottenham Hotspur right-back.
Jones stated that the 32-year-old defender has been receiving “seems harsh” based on what he’s done for the club but believes Farke signed the Tottenham defender to ultimately usurp him.
“I feel like Leeds are finding it hard, at the moment, what to expect from the team,” said Jones.
“You see people like Ayling getting quite a bit of stick, which seems harsh based on everything he’s done for Leeds. He’s got to try not to let that get to him.
“But with Spence coming in, you would imagine he’s doing that to get a regular starting berth.”
The full-back joined the Whites on a season-long loan in a last-gasp transfer in the closing days of the transfer window on 30 August, the club’s sixth summer signing, as per the official Leeds website.
Spence is definitely a top talent, and can undoubtedly help Leeds in their drive to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking after he achieved the same feat with Nottingham Forest in the season before last.
That 2021/22 campaign looked to be Spence’s breakout year as he registered two goals and four assists from 42 Championship appearances while registering six big chances created, 1.0 key passes per game, helping Forest to 15 clean sheets and excelling tremendously in his defensive actions [SofaScore] marking him out as one of the most complete full-backs in the country.
A move to North London made sense for 23-year-old taking the next ideal step in his career but it was a move which ultimately turned into a disaster as he hardly played under Antonio Conte, Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason in a disastrous season for Spurs.
The English-born defender has been searching for a new lease of life elsewhere and has certainly found it at Elland Road where he’ll fit right in under a progressive coach in Daniel Farke.
Spence looked bright when he came off the bench to make his debut in the draw against Sheffield Wednesday winning two fouls in the nine minutes he was on the pitch, saving two certain goals with impressive tackles, completing 100% of his nine attempted passes and managed four ball recoveries as Farke’s side drew a blank against the Owls (Fotmob).
And he will back himself to earn a place in the side.
Ayling has been handed the number one right-back spot so far under Farke, but that could all change when Spence gets some training under his belt.
At 32 years old and not getting any younger, Ayling’s days in the first team setup are certainly numbered after some suspect performances even during this new campaign.
The Leeds United desperation to get in a much younger and hungry full-back during the remaining days of the summer window certainly points towards a future without Ayling and even if that isn’t Spence who only joined on a temporary deal, Farke is arguably trialling how his side will look without the Elland Road veteran.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites tabled multiple enquiries to sign a multi-million international winger ahead of the transfer deadline.