Leeds United signed Ezgjan Alioski from Lugano in the summer, and the Swiss side have suffered a dramatic decline since.
When Leeds fans heard the rumours linking them with Macedonia winger Ezgjan Alioski during the summer, a quick look at his statistics from last season suggested that it had the potential to be an inspired signing.
Playing for Lugano, Alioski was the third highest goalscorer in the Swiss top flight, scoring 16 times, while he was also the third most prolific assist maker in the division, setting up 14 goals for his teammates.
Leeds supporters have needed little time to take Alioski to their hearts following his £2.5 million move to Elland Road in the summer window – fee reported by Transfermarkt – and it appears that his former side are in disarray without him.
Lugano finished third in the division last season, six places higher than they had the year before. But life has been a lot more difficult since Alioski left.
Nine games in, Lugano find themselves bottom of the table, and it is not difficult to see where their main problem lies with the side boasting a decent defensive record but scoring just nine times – seemingly confirming that they have not replaced the creativity that Alioski provided.
And Leeds will be hoping that the 25-year-old – who has made a bright start to life in Yorkshire – can find his best form, as, while his statistics from last season did highlight how good he was, Lugano’s start to life without Alioski also proves just how influential the winger can actually be.
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