Leeds United have enjoyed an entertaining start to life in the Premier League, and can be very pleased with their first four games back in the top flight.
The Whites lost 4-3 to Liverpool in a stunning game, before beating Fulham by the same scoreline as Marcelo Bielsa’s men proved to be must-watch.
They then claimed a dramatic 1-0 win at Sheffield United, before producing a superb performance to draw 1-1 against Manchester City before the international break.
Leeds have been a breath of fresh air back in the Premier League, and we noted earlier this week that a number of players are racking up huge tackle numbers.
Luke Ayling was a part of that, and another stat has emerged about his start to life in the Premier League; this one is a little more surprising though.
Based on WhoScored’s Premier League stats, Ayling ranks sixth in the Premier League for completed dribbles this season, sitting behind only Adama Traore, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Richarlison, Solly March and Mohamed Salah; all of whom play further up the field than Ayling.
That’s more than James Rodriguez, more than Roberto Firmino and almost twice as many as Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish with just one more gam played than the last two.
Ayling is not only committed to tackling and playing in the high-intensity Bielsa style, but he can also go past a player – ideal for when he’s overlapping Helder Costa down the right flank.
Given that Leeds paid just £200,000 to sign Ayling from Bristol City in 2016, he has proved to be an unbelievable bargain – and is posting unbelievable numbers in the Premier League.
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