Marcelo Bielsa lauds Luke Ayling after Leeds win over West Brom

Add as preferred source on Google

Marcelo Bielsa has suggested following Leeds United’s 5-0 win that Luke Ayling’s ability to take risks without making mistakes is an attribute that all of the best players have, in comments reported by Leeds Live.

Ayling once again deputised at centre-back on Tuesday. And he helped the Whites keep a clean sheet as they strolled to an emphatic win against West Bromwich Albion.

The 29-year-old has been a revelation at the heart of the defence in recent weeks. But when asked about whether his first-choice position could now be in the centre instead of at right-back, Bielsa insisted that he is just as impressive wherever he is played.

He also hinted that the Englishman has the ability to play in another new role.

“When he plays as a full-back he also shines,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live. “As a centre-back he’s shining and I think if he played as a defensive midfielder he would also be efficient.

“He’s a player who has qualities. Normally he uses a big percentage of his virtues because he forces it upon himself and he has the character to take risks without making errors which is what distinguishes the best players.

“They chose well, they execute well and when they take risks they don’t make mistakes.”

TBR View: Ayling proving to be Premier League-calibre in several roles

Ayling – who cost just £750,000, according to the Daily Mail – has been outstanding since Leeds’s promotion. He had already established himself as a Premier League-calibre full-back. And he is now standing out at centre-back.

Had Leeds supporters been told at the start of the season that Bielsa’s men would go into this run of games with Ayling and Pascal Struijk at centre-back – with Kalvin Phillips also dropping back for the win against Burnley – the fans may have had serious concerns.

But Leeds have kept two clean sheets on the spin. And the likes of Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente may face a surprise fight to win their place back in the future.