LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Ezgjan Alioski of Leeds United reacts during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester City at Elland Road on October 03, 2020 in Leeds, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images)
According to BBC West Yorkshire Sport Daily (h/t Leeds Live), Ezgjan Alioski has revealed that he would love to extend his contract at Leeds United beyond next summer.
The North Macedonian international has been a useful player for the Whites but is out of contract at the end of the season. Leeds Live understands that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are keen to tie the 28-year-old down the fresh terms at Elland Road, although the player himself has admitted that there has been no progress in negotiations over a new deal.
Alioski has amassed an impressive tally of 20 goals and 16 assists in 142 appearances for Leeds United in all competitions so far, while also earning 39 international caps for North Macedonia.
Despite splashing the cash on the likes of Rodrigo Moreno, Diego Llorente, Raphinha and Robin Koch as a part of their summer recruitment drive, Leeds United still face squad depth issues in several departments. With no specialist left-back in the ranks, Bielsa has utilised the likes of Ezgjan Alioksi and Stuart Dallas in a wide variety of roles down the flanks.
Dallas started the campaign as the first-choice left-back for the Whites but Alioski has also had his fair share of opportunities in recent weeks. The injury to Kalvin Phillips forced Bielsa to shift Dallas to a central midfield role, leaving the Macedonian to fill in as a full-back and wing-back on the left.
The 28-year-old has made a seamless transition to the top-flight this season and while he’s yet to register a goal or an assist, Alioski deserves plenty of credit for his performances. Truth be told, his versatility to operate in different positions has offered Bielsa some valuable depth and cover in multiple areas across the pitch.
With Leeds lacking quality alternatives in so many departments, it’s not difficult to understand why utility stars like Alioski and Dallas have assumed such importance at Elland Road. Putting things into context, it should be an absolute no-brainer for the Whites to offer Alioski a new deal in the coming months to extend his stay in West Yorkshire beyond next summer.
The 28-year-old’s exceptional work rate and versatility make him a tailor-made fit for Bielsa’s high-intensity football. As well as that, Alioski also has the ability to score and create goals for his teammates when utilised as a winger further up the pitch.
Hence, he is clearly a player who offers great value to the ranks and Leeds would find it really hard to replace him should he leave for free at the end of the season.
While it’s important for Leeds to add more depth and quality to their squad to thrive in the top-flight, the Whites simply can’t afford to let go of some of their key squad players. Ezgjan Alioski still potentially has his best years ahead of him at 28 and he definitely deserves a new deal after a promising start to life in the Premier League.
