As Leeds United close in on a fantastic first season back in the Premier League, it is clear that many of their once Championship level squad are finding their feet in the topflight.
Players who have once been questioned have stepped up and taken the Premier League by storm, namely Kalvin Phillips, Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling. All three have cemented themselves as mainstays in Marcelo Bielsa’s line up.
Although, for a few, the transition hasn’t come quite as seamlessly. Ezgjan Alioski has found himself in the centre of controversy in recent weeks, however, is he worth keeping?
The North Macedonian has been utilised mostly as a number-ten-wearing left-back in this campaign, but in many games over the course of the season he has been found out for his defensive inadequacy.
Despite being in and out of the starting eleven in the Championship winning season, Alioski has managed to rack up 32 appearances in the Premier League so far this season. Yet, the 29-year-olds commitment to the Whites often has been undermined by performances such as the horror show he produced against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
Since their promotion from the second division, the target for Leeds has always been to challenge the existing ‘top six’ and make the breakthrough into a European place. However, with individuals such as Alioski deputising in unnatural positions, this in all probabilities isn’t a realistic aspiration.
In the last few weeks, the makeshift left back has been help up in contract talks with Leeds – albeit seemingly unsuccessful ones. While he has been a fantastic servant to the club, Alioski could be proving to be more hassle than he is worth.
With a measly one assist as an attacking full-back with very little to offer going back the other way. Surely, any financial clout would be better offered out to a specialist in his position.
Recently it has come to light that the North Macedonian has played a vital role in settling Diego Llorente into the group. As a multi-linguist Alioski assisted in drawing the newly acquired Spanish international.
There is no doubt that he would be missed as a squad player, but football is a cut-throat industry and Leeds are intending on making an impression on European football – and fast.
All that can be said from Leeds fans is that he can go, just as long as it isn’t to the Turkish rivals.