Luke Ayling cut an emotional figure as he applauded Leeds United supporters after the FA Cup win over Peterborough United on Sunday at London Road
Zero starts in three months, 53 combined minutes from the bench in that period and a contract expiring in less than six months are all factors in the Luke Ayling melting pot. Leeds United’s vice-captain cut an emotional figure after Sunday’s FA Cup win at Peterborough United and with the transfer window open, conclusions are easy to jump to.
Now 32, if Ayling’s pitch time continues at its current trajectory there is no reason to believe he will be offered new terms at Elland Road in 2024. And while Daniel Farke would prefer a quiet January with virtually no departures and only special arrivals, his number two will have legitimate exit considerations now the window is open.
Zero starts in three months, 53 combined minutes from the bench in that period and a contract expiring in less than six months are all factors in the Luke Ayling melting pot. Leeds United’s vice-captain cut an emotional figure after Sunday’s FA Cup win at Peterborough United and with the transfer window open, conclusions are easy to jump to.
Now 32, if Ayling’s pitch time continues at its current trajectory there is no reason to believe he will be offered new terms at Elland Road in 2024. And while Daniel Farke would prefer a quiet January with virtually no departures and only special arrivals, his number two will have legitimate exit considerations now the window is open.
Full-time applause for supporters is nothing new, but Ayling’s address was pointed, lingering and drew embraces from team-mates like Daniel James and Liam Cooper. The latter even intervened when a young pitch invader’s love for Ayling seemed too much for the right-back to bear.
Transfer links to Middlesbrough emerged last week, but Farke would not be drawn on them and again insisted there was nothing conclusive in Ayling’s post-match emotions yesterday. The manager puts Ayling’s reaction down to the magnitude of the support shown to him despite such limited impact on the pitch of late.
“No, [it was] quite normal,” he said, “If I was a supporter, I would sing during the whole game just one name. This would be Luke’s name.
“What he has done for this club and what he has done for this group is amazing. I know at the moment quite often the goal scorers or assisters or the younger guys who are in the spotlight are more or less the main focus and they sing their names, but I’m a bit old-fashioned.
“I would sing ‘Luke, Luke, Luke’ for the whole 90 minutes. It’s not a miracle everyone is celebrating him that much and if you get such a reception, although you haven’t played that much in recent weeks or also today you come in just for 20 minutes, I would be also emotionally touched if I’m honest, as a player. I think that’s just due to his legendary status.”
Leeds have already lost one right-back in this window with the return of Djed Spence to Tottenham Hotspur. Archie Gray, a more natural midfielder, and Jamie Shackleton are the right-back options Farke seems to prefer over Ayling as it stands.
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