The Leeds United defender refused to play for his club at the weekend but what was the point when he is clearly off anyway?
Following the news – confirmed to the Yorkshire Evening Post by Leeds United manager Garry Monk – that Charlie Taylor refused to play for the Whites on Sunday, one question rings out more than any other: Why?
The left-back’s contract situation and refusal to sign a new deal means he already looked set to leave Elland Road this summer. But the least the fans and the club deserved was one final appearance from a player who owes them his career.
It is not as if Taylor was being held to ransom. He is free from his current deal in a matter of weeks and he will have the choice of where to play next season.
The problem is, any potential suitors could now see his refusal to play against Wigan Athletic as a sticking point. After all, what is to say he would not do the same again in the future?
Monk claims Taylor has been poorly advised, but he has his own mind and should have simply ignored any and all advice to take to the field as Leeds ended their once promising but ultimately disappointing campaign.
The prospect of a serious long-term injury could well have been on the minds of Taylor’s advisors, but that could have happened last week, or the week before, or at any point this season.
The fact is, a player willing to run his contract down invites that risk. He should have been a bigger man and said goodbye to the Leeds faithful in the right way.
Now he will be remembered in a certain light, his reputation at Leeds forever tarnished.
Few would have blamed him for wanting to better himself at a top flight club, but now even fewer will be wishing him well.
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