Changes rip through football clubs across the expanse of 12 months, but one Leeds United squad pinch point which shows no sign of abating is at right-back. Last summer, the arrival of Rasmus Kristensen prompted questions about Cody Drameh’s long-term future and one year later United are in the same boat, facing the same questions.
If anything, relegation has muddied the waters even further. Drameh is another year older, another year closer to his contract expiry and on the back of another four months of impressing in the second tier.
The 21-year-old made himself a key part of Luton Town’s run to the Championship play-off crown and their passage to the top flight. Drameh will no doubt have a host of suitors once again this summer, but while he remains under contract, Leeds will have the final say.
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LeedsLive understands United intend to welcome Drameh back to pre-season with a view to him playing a part in next season’s promotion tilt. The right-back is also understood to be open to remaining with the Whites, but only if he sees meaningful evidence he will play if he stays beyond September 1.
There remain too many cooks standing around the right-back broth. Yesterday, Luke Ayling, the long-time custodian of the number two shirt, broke his silence on last month’s relegation.
The full-back made it clear he was already setting his mind to returning the club to the Premier League. With one year left on his deal and a respected standing in the dressing room, it seems distinctly unlikely Ayling will be shown the door this summer.
The vice-captain may well have struggled with a lot of last season in the top flight, but at 31 he should still be a force in the Championship. That experience and nous counts for a lot across a 46-match season which will hugely demanding of a big fish like Leeds.
Ayling’s intentions then put the ball into Kristensen’s court. The Dane is understood to be one of those players who has already informed Angus Kinnear of his wish to stay and play next season.
United’s next recruitment chief and head coach are going to have to spin this plate carefully if they are to keep all three players happy going into the new season. The one legacy of Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce’s tenures which could help is their use of Kristensen.
The Dane was used as a central defender once by Gracia, but on several occasions by Allardyce. Perhaps pitching Kristensen as a centre-back rather than a right-back may be the ploy they use to show Drameh his pathway to regular minutes.
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