Graham Smyth shares concerns over Luke Ayling amid Leeds United January transfer news
Graham Smyth has promotion concerns over Leeds United amid growing rumours that Luke Ayling may leave Elland Road during the January transfer window.
The 32-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to fellow Championship side Middlesbrough, as per Sky Sports, with the defender dropped to the bench by Daniel Farke on many occasions this season.
However, Smyth is wary of the potential departure of one of the Whites’ longest-serving servants of the club, stating Leeds’ lack of voices and leadership as the possible pitfalls if the transfer is to happen.
Speaking to Leeds United News via X on Thursday (4 January), the Yorkshire Evening Post’s chief football writer said: “Do they have the right voices and right leadership in the changing room, if they were to lose Ayling?
“You’ve still got [Liam] Cooper, and [Stuart] Dallas is still around the squad. But in terms of players in the matchday squad, in the dressing room, in the trenches when things are going wrong, ones that have been through heartbreak in the Championship with a promotion race and have had success, and they’ve played in the Premier League and a lot in the EFL… There aren’t many.
“If you are going to be selfish as a club, then yes [it is enough to keep him around]. It is definitely a consideration that should be discussed by Leeds before giving the green light for anything when it comes to the veteran players.”
Experience over talent
Since Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League last season, the squad has been decreasing in age ever since. The likes of 22-year-old Crysencio Summerville, 23-year-old Ethan Ampadu, 21-year-old Georginio Rutter and, 24-year-old Joel Piroe and 23-year-old Illan Meslier are all non-negotiables when it comes to Daniel Farke’s starting XI.
However, experience is vital if Leeds are to be promoted back to the top tier during an extremely difficult Championship season. Leicester City look to be pulling away with the league title, with Ipswich Town, Southampton, Leeds, West Brom, Sunderland and Hull City all currently battling for the play-off spots.
The likes of Cooper, Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Ayling, who have all experienced the highs and lows of competing for promotion, will be important in Leeds’ quests this season.
Ayling is a huge character in the dressing room and always will be, loved as one of the family at Elland Road. Many will be extremely upset is he is to depart during the January transfer window, but it is more than understandable with the amount of game time he has been handed so far.
In other Leeds United news, Farke has labelled on Whites star “priceless” during the January transfer window