Luke Ayling’s January departure from Leeds United was never going to have a significant influence on the pitch, but more so off it, given the type of player and leader he is – and Patrick Bamford commented on it.
Ayling, 32, left Leeds in January after eight years to join Middlesbrough on loan after fighting for minutes under Daniel Farke. He switched to Michael Carrick’s side, therefore terminating his Leeds career.
Bamford stated that he will not return or sign a new contract to remain at Elland Road. Indeed, Ayling has left the club for good, and the chances are that he will join Boro permanently.
Losing the £500,000 man on the pitch was not a significant loss. He wasn’t playing. His form has diminished after starring in promotion and our first season in the Premier League. Aside from that, it has a powerful voice.
Bamford was asked on his My Mate’s A Footballer podcast what it’s been like behind the scenes at Leeds since Ayling, a voice and off-field presence, left the club. Bamford described it as “strange”.
“It’s unusual, different, since you didn’t have Bill warming up the players before the game. When we go out, everything is fine. “The person who is loud in the changing room is not always the captain.”
Patrick Bamford discusses what it is like at Leeds without Luke Ayling
Losing Ayling would always leave a vacuum. However, Leeds have other players who can step up off the pitch, and they will need to, especially with Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas out of contract in June.
Pascal Struijk and Ethan Ampadu have donned the armband this season, and they will need to step up. If Joe Rodon signs on a permanent basis, so will Bamford, who is one of the team’s older players.
