Leeds United have two brilliant options on the right and on early evidence neither is safe from the chop…at least for a week.
Such has been Kemar Roofe’s start to the new season that it is hard to imagine Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen omitting him from the starting XI. But that is exactly what happened when the Whites took on Birmingham City on Tuesday evening and his replacement Ezgjan Alioski impressed in his absence.
Not many sides watch a player score one and set up another in a 5-0 victory only to name them as a substitute for their next match, and it is testament to Leeds’ strength in depth that they can do just that without suffering on the pitch.
Alioski was not at his sparkling best against the Blues, but he still showed his graft and helped Leeds to a 2-0 victory that put them top of the pile after seven matches.
There is still a long way to go, but on early evidence it looks as though Leeds could rotate Alioski and Roofe all season, keeping both players fresh and ensuring there is always a fierce yet healthy competition for places.
Wide attackers are famous for their hit-and-miss performances, however Christiansen could pull off a masterstroke ensuring that neither Roofe nor Alioski burns out, nor that they get complacent thinking a starting spot is their divine right.
On recent form, Roofe should start the bigger matches, but with games coming thick and fast it seems unlikely that either player – injuries permitting – will rack up four or five games on the bounce without a breather in the coming months.
It is just another way Christiansen is working wonders at Leeds and it looks like being one hell of a season at Elland Road.
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