Leeds United can correct poor decision from two years ago by finally swapping Luke Ayling for Cody Drameh
Leeds United can finally correct a two-year-old mistake this summer by allowing Cody Drameh to solve their right-back problems and replace Luke Ayling.
After a stunning return season to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa, there were plenty of question marks around Ayling’s long-term future at the club and there were suggestions that he could be replaced.
Many called for youngster Drameh to be given an opportunity, but Bielsa opted to stick with experience for the vast majority of his tenure and Drameh then went on loan to Cardiff.
Despite only joining on loan in January he won their Player of the Season award for his time there and was expected to return last summer to compete and potentially take over from Ayling again under Jesse Marsch.
However Marsch instead opted to bring in a new right-back of his own in Rasmus Kristensen, with Drameh’s development thrown to the way-side.
Once again the first half of the season went past with Drameh getting limited game time, before a January loan to Championship side Luton saw him shine. He has made 12 appearances so far and has helped them hugely in their push for promotion to the Premier League.
So with Ayling struggling once again with his form in recent weeks and Kristensen yet to really convince anyone at Elland Road that he is the answer long-term, surely it’s time for Leeds to realise their mistake.
There is no need to splash the cash and bring in another right-back to replace Ayling or Kristensen, because Drameh is literally already here.
While the club have triggered the one-year option in Ayling’s contract to take him into next season, that doesn’t mean he needs to play regularly or even stick around – just ask Diego Llorente.
Whoever the manager is next season, whether it’s Javi Gracia or someone else, must not make the same mistake as Bielsa and Marsch.
A top, young talent has come through the Elland Road academy and is ready to step into the first-team as soon as possible.
The ideal scenario for the summer would be Ayling is moved on and Drameh steps in to compete with Kristensen. It would save money, and put right an error that is over two years in the making.
In other Leeds news, the club have been blasted for their “stupid” decision amid a massive development this week.