Fascinating interview with Orta, well worth listening to, providing a unique insight into his role and his relationship with players and with Bielsa.
https://theathletic.com/podcast/142-the-phil-hay-show/?episode=81
I gained a higher respect for Alioski after this. I have always felt his contribution is underestimated on this site, and Orta's discussion about his time with Leeds and in particular, the last 10 games, is illuminating.
He explains how Alioski has been a stalwart in his time with Leeds. Even though he looks destined to move on, he has given everything in the last 10 games, at a possible risk to himself if he was to get an injury, especially as he does not have a contract for next season. He cited the case of Victor Valdez who got an ACL just before a planned move to Barcelona and said that Alioski could easily have played it safe at the end of the season, when we were already assured of our place in the Premier League. If anything, Alisoki has shown how crucial he is to our success, and his value to Bielsa is evidenced by the number of starts he got last season. Orta was guarded when asked about the state of play with Alioski, except to say that discussions were ongoing, and both sides understood each others' points of view.
Orta has a number of players in his sight in the transfer market and he said that we all know the positions we are looking at. Which means we will likely get a specialist left-back, but I would be delighted if we kept Alioski on our books. He brings a guile and an energy that would be hard to replace. And he provided the pass for Dallas to put the citizens in their place. What does he have to do get the respect he deserves?
Orta and Alioski
posted on 5/6/21
I think plenty on here respect and value Alioski, both for his personality and what he has helped us accomplish as a football club. That can happen in tandem with us thinking that we can have a technically better player, and thinking that he plays a position where improvement is needed.
I've said before that if Alioski were willing to play backup for a season then I would extend, but if he wants guaranteed games then I'd let him go.
posted on 5/6/21
My favourite player at the club by a country mile, no not for his footballing (though some of his goals have been spectacular) nor his work rate which is second to none (as well as busting a gut on the pitch, more often than not goal scorers have an Alioski satchel on their backs within a couple of seconds of scoring) but for his absolute joie de vivre. I think he is absolutely priceless and unique. He brings a smile to my face, not much does to this miserable old kant, I can tell you.
I want better footballers but I will miss the guy if he doesn't sign up for another season.
posted on 5/6/21
comment by Elsbels - Just Some Guy (U21658)
posted 4 hours, 9 minutes ago
My favourite player at the club by a country mile, no not for his footballing (though some of his goals have been spectacular) nor his work rate which is second to none (as well as busting a gut on the pitch, more often than not goal scorers have an Alioski satchel on their backs within a couple of seconds of scoring) but for his absolute joie de vivre. I think he is absolutely priceless and unique. He brings a smile to my face, not much does to this miserable old kant, I can tell you.
I want better footballers but I will miss the guy if he doesn't sign up for another season.
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This is exactly how I feel when it comes to alioski, on the other hand I can say I was firmly an Orta out but man was I wrong.
posted on 5/6/21
If alioski does leave we'll be losing more than just another player.
posted on 5/6/21
Hopefully he signs an extension.
And if he does and we sign another leftback.
Then I dont care who that leftback is they are going to have to work their backside off to try and dislodge him from the team based on how he finished this season.
Which is how it should be.
We have great depth at centreback, we need to make that level of depth standard throughout the team