Ex-manager ‘surprised’ by Alioski amid major news at Leeds | OneFootball

Alex McLeish has hailed the “amazing” Ezgjan Alioski amid news of a new contract offer at Leeds United.

The former Scotland boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he had been “surprised” by the left-footer’s transformation into a wing-back.

As revealed by Football Insider on June 4th, Leeds have tabled a new and improved contract offer to the 29-year-old.

The converted wing-back’s current terms expire this summer and he snubbed Leeds’ previous contract offer.

However, the Whites are pulling out all the stops to keep him at Elland Road ahead of next season.

McLeish admitted he had been seriously impressed by the North Macedonia international during the 2020/21 campaign.

“For me, he’s been amazing, that guy,” McLeish told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge.

“I really admire the fact that he is a converted winger into a wing-back.  You see his attacking impulse from that position. It just reminds me of when a lot of French wingers were getting converted into full-backs. It seems to be more of a French trait.

“Alioski was like a jumping jack, a firework, the way he would do some really clever things, run at people and get balls in the box. Then all of a sudden he’s been asked to become a defender and a wing-back.

“I’ve got to say Leeds’ season was a big success and he was one of the players that helped to make it a big success. He’s had a cracking season. He’s probably short of being a top-class wing-back but he’s made certainly made a great attempt at it.

“Alioski is a player who’s surprised me very much in the wing-back role.”

Alioski played 36 times in the Premier League during the recently-concluded campaign.

He has a total of 171 appearances under his belt for Leeds.

In other news, two more clubs join Leeds United in race to sign Premier League speedster.