Championship outfit, Leeds United, have been timorous and sluggish of late in the league. With their latest outing ending in a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Reading last weekend at the Elland Road, they registered three losses on the trot which saw them fall to the 6th position in the league.
The Whites have collected 20 points from 12 games so far and a gap of 6 points separates them from table-toppers Wolverhampton Wanderers. Leeds United are a side perceived to be one of the teams which could earn a promotion to the Premier League and considering the same, they must fare in a better manner.
However, the Yorkshire based club made an astute decision yesterday by finalising a new long-term deal over an improved contract with their right-back Luke Ayling. The fullback has been tied down to the Elland Road until the summer of 2021 and such news could uplift the spirits of the camp significantly.
Ayling emerged through the youth ranks of Arsenal, although he couldn’t cement his place with the first-team of the Gunners. He was then signed by Yeovil Town (initially on loan and then on permanent transfer), wherein he started to get recognized for his calibre and then, Bristol City made him sign on the dotted line in the summer of 2014.
Eventually, the Peacocks prised him out of the Ashton Gate Stadium last summer on a three-year deal and he proved to be a fine player under the stewardship of Garry Monk as well as Thomas Christiansen. He has made 58 appearances for his current employers and his consistency has rightfully earned him an improved deal.
Capable of plying his trade as a fullback, central defender as well as a defensive midfielder, Ayling’s proficiency has made him one of the salient personnel for United. He is someone who toils really hard, knits a fine balance between his offensive and defensive endeavours and has garnered plenty of experience under his belt.
Besides, he is good in the air, jots decent crosses into the box and makes shrewd tackles and interceptions which make him an appealing commodity. The 26-year-old’s contract had just under two years left and it was of paramount importance for Christiansen to reward one of his most productive players.
Leeds United extended the contracts of Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Gaetano Berardi and Eunan O’Kane and tying Ayling for the foreseeable future with the club did hold paramount importance. Hopefully, this can boost the morale of the club and could be the impetus for reviving their form.
