Pundit Tips Impressive Leeds Man To Sink In Premier League, Not Swim

Ezgjan Alioski’s transition to a left wing back for Leeds United and manager Marcelo Bielsa this season has been somewhat of a revelation.

The Macedonian international’s work rate and commitment has rarely been questioned since the 27-year-old arrived at Elland Road back in the summer of 2017 from Lugano, but everyone knows the basic criticism of him always comes down to his tendency to jump the gun and find himself offside.

It’s probably an unfair criticism in reality as others appreciate he’s looking for that extra advantage and sometimes it pays off, other times it doesn’t. In any event, covering Barry Douglas and his injury problems this year, Alioski has impressed many – and even against West Bromwich Albion his engine and running was picked out for praise as he even found himself chasing down one of their players as they went into our right back area – it was an interesting heatmap for fans who like that kind of thing.

Former player Danny Mills wasn’t convinced that he’d be able to maintain that improvement if we do gain promotion this year and he told Proper Sport’s LS11 podcast (30 min mark).

“I think the way that Leeds play, on the front foot, especially at Elland Road, you can get away with it to a certain extent. If you get promoted, I’d be a little concerned with him in that position. Defensively, you probably need a bit more nous to deal with higher quality players week-in, week-out. I think he’s done a great job at the moment, but if you want to kick on, you’ve got to get a proper player. You can get away with it to a certain extent, but when you want to go to the next level, you need specific people in those positions.”

There will be those fans who completely agree with that assessment, but at the same time it removes any element of a player improving or stepping up and there are countless examples in football of players who do just that – as well as players who don’t.

Just seems a little bit spurious to write somebody off before even giving them a crack at it for me.

Nobody knows, should we achieve the dream, how anybody in the squad would adjust or how quickly, but nobody is calling for us to make 25 new signings and destroy the group spirit are they.