Luke Ayling will likely depart Leeds United permanently this summer even though Michael Carrick said no decision has been made as to whether Middlesbrough will sign him full-time, Paul Robinson has said.
The 32-year-old joined Boro on loan during the transfer window and with his contract up at the end of the season, the future looks unclear for the experienced full-back.
Boro boss Carrick was quoted by the Teeside Gazette on 14 March as saying “We’ll see. That will play out how it’s going to play out over the next few months” when asked about Ayling’s future.
Wherever he ends up next, former Leeds goalkeeper Robinson – speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News – cannot see a way back for him under Farke.
“I think the fact he’s out on loan, it tells you a lot that he’s not part of the manager’s plans,” Robinson said.
The manager’s done exceptionally well and you can’t question any decision that he’s made this season because of the results out on the pitch and where they are in the league.
“At one point we’d all written Leicester off as champions and sent them off to the Premier League where now Leeds have a very realistic chance of getting promoted as champions, as have Ipswich.
“You can’t question the manager’s decisions but Luke’s future, I think he’s at an age now where he will want to finish his career playing football, I can’t imagine he’ll want to be part of a squad where he’s not playing week in and week out.
“With the loan move to Middlesbrough, I think it doesn’t take a wise man to see you’re not in the manager’s plans if he allows you to go out on loan halfway through a season.
“With Daniel Farke at Leeds there’s going to be no managerial change in the near future regardless of what league they’re in because of how they’ve performed this season.
“If for whatever reason they don’t get promoted then the manager will still be in place next year because of the season they’ve had this year, the amount of points they’ve amassed already, and when a manager has an opinion on a player and allows him to go on loan it’s very difficult to break back in.
“He’s at a stage where he’s been a fantastic servant to the club, I think he’s a great personality and a great person to have around the club but it comes down to what he wants for his own future and what future he sees for his own family.
“And at his age and the stage of the career he’s at I suspect he’ll want to play football.”
Luke Ayling to leave Leeds United?
There is still a lot of love from Ayling towards Leeds, as evidenced by the fact he was spotted with supporters prior to the 2-0 win over Millwall last Sunday (17 March).
But, sadly, there is little room for sentiment in football and Ayling – while he has been a tremendous servant to the football club – has surely kicked his last ball for the club.
Whether he remains at Middlesbrough or not remains a little bit up in the air as Carrick has been somewhat none committal on the matter.
However, even if he’s not at the Riverside Stadium next season he definitely won’t be at Elland Road next term.
About The Author
Leave a Reply