Luke Ayling sweating over Leeds United future as Djed Spence return approaches
Luke Ayling has made 263 appearances for Leeds United, but the return of Djed Spence from injury gives him just five games to prove to Daniel Farke that he can still play a part in his side with a contract decision looming.
Spence is expected to return to first-team action on 11 November [Leeds Live, 18 October], giving Ayling the time between now and then to prove to his boss that he can be a long-term option in his defence.
The Athletic [16 October] shared that Ayling is one of several players with the club undecided on whether to offer him a new deal, with his current terms set to expire at the end of the season, and Farke will make the final call.
Ayling has been benched by Farke in recent games in favour of experimental moves for both Jamie Shackleton and Archie Gray at right-back, and the experiments have paid off as both players appear to have outshone their experienced teammate despite playing outside of their natural positions.
This was bad news for Ayling, and the return of Spence to that position means he should fall even further down the pecking order at Elland Road, with the on-loan defender providing a different style on the right flank.
Ayling is a typically defensive right-back, which plays a role of its own but doesn’t necessarily fit into Daniel Farke’s preferred style.
His 76% passing accuracy leaves room for improvement, while losing possession an average of 12.3 times per game and a 25% dribble success rate show his sloppiness going forward, and he can often leave his side exposed on that side of the field. [Sofascore]
Spence, meanwhile, has only played nine minutes in a Leeds United shirt, but his time at Nice last season provides a better view of what he offers. From eight appearances in Ligue Un, he averaged an 89% passing accuracy, 63% dribble success rate, and lost possession an average of 8.3 times per game. [Sofascore]
All of these stats are improvements on Ayling’s, and display how he could offer more in a Leeds United shirt. Even defensively, his duel success rate of 61% trumps that of Ayling’s 54%.
If Spence can make his mark on this Leeds side and prove to his boss that he offers more, Ayling could find himself cast aside.
In other Leeds United news, one loanee has tasked his management with securing a permanent move.