22-year-old future in doubt: Three things we learned about Leeds in loss to Huddersfield
By Will Butcher
Football Insider analyses three talking points from Leeds 2-1 loss against Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday.
Sacko’s future in doubt
Following the double deadline-day signings of Modou Barrow and Alfonso Pedraza, Hadi Sacko’s future at Elland Road is unclear. Currently on loan from Sporting Lisbon, the 22-year-old speed machine was left out of the matchday squad as Souleymane Doukara and Stuart Dallas started against Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield. With a potential permanent move on the cards before the arrivals of Barrow and Pedraza, any plans for a longer stay in Yorkshire could now be shelved as he drops down the pecking order under manager Garry Monk.
Green deserves new contract
Goalkeeper Rob Green has less than six months remaining on his current deal, after signing a 12-month deal back in the summer. Judged on the basis of Sunday’s performance, Monk should be fighting tooth and nail to snap the former England international for another year after pulling off a number of wonderful saves to deny Huddersfield’s attack. The Terriers should have got on the score sheet more than once during the 2-1 loss, but former West Ham and Norwich stopper Green denied them on multiple occasions.
Defender should be axed
In recent matches, Luke Ayling should be dropped by Monk after a poor performance that highlighted his weaknesses throughout the match. The defender struggled to stop the attacking threat of the Terriers on the left wing, as Rajiv van La Parra sparkled against the former Bristol City right-back. His form is a spark contrast to his displays earlier in the season, which had seen him become somewhat of an unsung hero in a Leeds shirt during their promotion chase. As soon as Charlie Taylor returns from an achilles injury, Gaetano Berardi should be pushed to right-back in place of Ayling.
In other Leeds news, this is why three of Leeds’ senior players were left out of the matchday squad for Sunday’s derby.
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