Phil Hay: Bielsa delighted with latest contract news about Leeds star
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is said to be ‘so happy’ with the news that Ezgjan Alioski is in talks over a new contract at the club.
According to Phil Hay, writing for The Athletic, the news has come as a timely boost to the Whites ahead of the January window.
The report claims that Leeds looked at the possibility of signing an out-and-out left-back in the summer, but Bielsa was happy with both Alioski and Stuart Dallas, who have both featured there this season.
Alioski has been a valued member of the squad and his versatility is a huge asset to Bielsa.
Great squad member to have
As Hay alludes to in his report, there will come a time where Leeds may have to look to sign a ‘specialist’ left-sided defender, but for now, Alioski is proving his worth in the Premier League.
His attacking nature means he slots into the left-back spot perfectly in Bielsa’s system at Elland Road.
According to Wyscout, Alioski is averaging nearly three progressive runs per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.
He recorded as many as eight against Arsenal earlier in the campaign, which highlights just how positive he can be on and off the ball.
Meanwhile, the defender’s heatmap from the 5-2 win against Newcastle recently, as shown below, shows that he is anything but a traditional left-back.
Alioski may have been a player to fall by the wayside in the Premier League but he is proving his worth in the top flight and looks like he will be a regular fixture in the Whites squad for years to come.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay responds to ‘Frightening’ BT pundit claim about Bielsa future at Leeds