Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan doesn't feel that Ezgjan Alioski should be considered as a winger by manager Marcelo Bielsa anymore.

The Macedonian international arrived at Elland Road in 2017 as a wide man and scored seven goals in his first season in the Championship.

Whilst he matched that total in his second campaign, many of the 27-year-old's appearances came as a left-back as he filled in for the injured Barry Douglas in Marcelo Bielsa's attack-minded XI.

And, Whelan, now a pundit for the BBC covering the Whites, told Football Insider that Alioski isn't good enough to play as a winger for the side now.

"I can only see Alioski playing one position, I don’t see him as a winger, I just don’t. I think there are better players and better wingers there than Alioski.

"I don’t see enough of a winger in him, I think he’s better as a wing-back so that’s the challenge there this season, is who’s going to keep that role. He’s frustrating, drives me up the wall. When he is a winger he gets caught offside too much, when he has the chance to put in a decent ball, he doesn’t put it in the right areas.

"Everyone’s going to have a different opinion on Alioski and where his best position is. I saw a better Alioski coming from a deep role last season."

The Verdict

I think most Leeds fans would agree with what Whelan has said here as Alioski did frustrate as a winger.

Even though he had a decent goals return from out wide, they need a more consistent performer in those positions and the options Bielsa has now are superior to the former Lugano man.

As well as that, it must also be said that Alioski impressed as a left-back and his attacking instincts work well under the current boss.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.