According to The Mirror, Leeds United hope to keep Ezgjan Alioski at Elland Road next season as they have offered him a new contract. He is yet to sign on the dotted line, and a move to Turkish side, Galatasaray, has already fallen through. The Whites are also adamant that they will not put forth a second offer, and their current deal still stands.
Alioski is yet to find a club for himself as he enters the final few days of his contract. The report mentions that Victor Orta, the director of football at Leeds United, remains in contact with Alioski’s camp. And here we will see why it is important for the Whites to make sure they retain the North Macedonian.
Leeds United have had a mass exodus of players this summer. Leeds Live mention that Marcelo Bielsa’s side will release 15 players this summer. But he is the only senior player to be offered a new deal, which shows that the club understands his importance.
Currently, Alioski is the only senior, natural left-back that Leeds have right now. That is because 31-year-old Scotsman, Barry Douglas, is one of the 15 names that will not be at the club next season. That leaves them incredibly short of options, with youngster Leif Davies as the only backup to Alioski.
The 21-year-old Davis is not at the age or has the experience that would warrant Bielsa slotting him in the starting XI for 30+ starts a season. He only had 31 minutes of Premier League this season. That puts into perspective how much of a problem Leeds can find themselves in if the North Macedonian international leaves.
One different option that Bielsa takes during Alioski’s absence is slotting the versatile Stuart Dallas in his position. But that has always been a more temporary solution, with Dallas clearly being preferred by the manager on the right-hand side of the field. Alioski, a left-footed player, is more suited in that role because that is his natural position.
Firstly, a Premier League club like Leeds should not compromise on the field when it comes to playing players in their position.
Secondly, Leeds would want to be in a position where they strengthen, and not weaken their squad. The club could add to the No.10 position, with Pablo Hernandez also set to be released. But if they let their 29-year-old left-back depart, it would be another position that they will have to worry about before next season.
He has 171 appearances for the club and has won the trust of Bielsa when it comes to playing as a wing-back, a left-back, or a left-midfielder. This sort of versatility and experience, at his age, would not be very easy to find in the market.
Hence, Leeds might want to reconsider their stance of not offering him a second offer if he declines the first one because this seems like a headache that can be avoided.
