Leeds star Luke Ayling set to miss out on England squad
Leeds United right-back Luke Ayling will not be called up to the upcoming England squad, according to Mirror journalist David Anderson.
Ayling, 29, has been an ever-present for the Whites in their first season back in the Premier League, starting all 28 of the Yorkshire club’s fixtures.
The Guardian had reported that he’s being considered for a call-up to the next England squad but Anderson has taken to Twitter to say that the Elland Road ace has, on this occasion, been overlooked.
Writing on Twitter, the Mirror journalist said, “from what I’m hearing…Luke Ayling will miss out.
“However, Gareth Southgate is impressed by Ayling and is on his radar.”
Too much competition at right-back
England have a wealth of top right-backs who would get into the national teams of most countries across the world.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Reece James and Kieran Trippier would all be first on the team sheet for most countries, let alone in the squad.
Ayling will, unfortunately, come after all of them in the pecking order while there are younger right-backs like Tariq Lamptey, Matty Cash, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, James Justin and Kyle Walker-Peters who might also be considered due to them having more of a future with the Three Lions.
Ayling doesn’t need to be called up by England for us to know how good he is. He’s definitely been one of the best English right-backs in the Premier League this season but because he’s spent most of his career in the EFL, most neutral fans won’t admit that.
But there are a lot of good players in his positions who play for top teams, play in the Champions League regularly and are more in tune with other players in the England squad.
Patrick Bamford might have a better chance of a call-up due to injury issues among Southgate’s striker options.
Ayling might have to wait for an injury crisis at right-back for his chance.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope has responded to a claim Diego Llorente wants to quit the Whites.