Football Insider have been reporting that Leeds United will sell Lewie Coyle in January.
His apparent destination isn’t a surprising one as the right-back is reportedly set to join Fleetwood after spending the last two seasons on loan with the north-west outfit.
Coyle is currently in his third term with Joey Barton’s side, and he’s seemingly in the form of his life.
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The right-back has crafted four assists in 15 appearances this season, and when you consider that he’s a defender that is a truly incredible figure.
So why are Leeds looking to get rid of him?
He’s 24 and hasn’t had a look in at the club for a number of years now, but surely this form he’s showing at Fleetwood warrants him being given a chance?
We asked our team of writers to give their verdicts on whether or not Leeds would be right to move Coyle on permanently.
Lewis Blain
“There can be no harm in Marcelo Bielsa giving Lewie Coyle a go in the first-team. If anything, his recent spells out on loan have proven he has done the job asked of him and therefore, he should be given the opportunity.
“Both Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas have impressed when playing in a similar role as the 24-year-old. Ayling played as many as 40 times last term, registering six assists while Dallas has made 1.9 tackles predominantly from that third of the pitch in 2019/20. However, the message here is far greater.
“What must the other players out on loan or the promising talents coming through the ranks think – no matter what they do, it’s unlikely to see them ever cement their names amongst Elland Road folklore?
“Coyle has four years on both players too, which can only stand him in good stead. Leeds would be wrong to sell as there are much wider elements to consider. He’s unlikely to garner a sufficient enough fee to make Leeds stand back and snatch it.”
Kealan Hughes “Lewie Coyle may be performing well on loan but he falls some way short in meeting the required standard that Leeds need in their promotion push, and will certainly be surplus to requirements if the club is indeed promoted.“Despite playing in League One he has still only achieved an average of 0.7 interceptions per game, below that of Stuart Dallas’ 1.1 and Ezgjan Alioski’s one per game, which suggests he is not the type of full-back who would fit into a Marcelo Bielsa team.“They are better off cashing in now and using the funds to strengthen in January on areas which are in need of reinforcement, especially as he has only made 23 first-team appearances in the last four years.” Vijievan Jeevathayalan
“With his impressive start to the season, Leeds must strike while the iron is hot when it comes to a decision on Lewie Coyle. The right-back has been a consistent performer whilst on loan at Fleetwood Town, and as per Whoscored, his average match rating of 6.92 is the fourth-highest in the entire squad.
“But with Marcelo Bielsa’s side already containing the likes of Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas as options at right-back, it is difficult to see how Coyle could truly make a statement in the Whites’ first-team.
“They would simply be better off cashing in on the 24-year-old, and boosting the transfer coffers. While that may be harsh on the defender himself, Leeds must be ruthless and put the team’s needs first.”
Charles Jones
“I think Leeds would be making a huge mistake by letting Lewie Coyle go at this juncture of his career.
“His loan spells away from Elland Road should have been working towards his eventual introduction to the first team if he proved himself worthy, and he certainly has proven himself to be good enough.”
“What more could he do to prove his quality? He’s won two Player of the Year awards during his time away from Elland Road so why would they now choose to cut ties with him?. This could be a decision the Whites live to regret in the future.”
