Ezgjan Alioski made more key passes than anyone on the pitch at West Ham United last night and what’s more, he did it in half the time many had on the field.
The versatile Macedonian was thrown on at the break in a predictable substitution when things are not going well for Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.
Stationing Alioski at left-back released Stuart Dallas into central midfield, where his impact is beginning to supersede what he turns out at full-back.
Indeed, the introduction of Alioski coincided with an improvement across the whole side in a second half which was drawn 0-0, but should have been comfortably won by the visitors.
Alioski has proved to be one of the more divisive figures in the Whites squad across the past few years, especially after promotion, with any weaknesses more cruelly exposed by top-class opposition.
In truth, when everyone is fit, he’s an option for the bench all day long. Stuart Dallas and the array of wingers in the squad are more dependable, in the long term, across those positions down the left flank.
However, with several team-mates at a low ebb in form and confidence, Alioski may be the plaster Bielsa needs to stick over a cut or two.
West Ham rode their luck in the second period at London Stadium as the chances flowed from the Whites, who proved to be wasteful with every one of them.
Alioski did stand out for his impact, though. While he was not quite in grab-the-match-by-the-scruff-of-the-neck territory, his three key passes in 45 minutes were unmatched by anyone.
Dallas and three West Ham players crafted two apiece, but with a full match to deliver them.
“With Alioski on the left, we managed to get on the outside a bit more, managed to get some crosses in the box,” said Bielsa after the game.
Statistics aside, you could see the way Alioski was stretching the hosts down the left and he did show uncharacteristic composure in the final third to serve up chances for team-mates.
Alioski’s contract is running down and the wait for news of a new deal goes on while foreign suitors circle and look to lure him away on a free.
He is not what you would consider a long-term solution, but he may at least take Mateusz Klich or Tyler Roberts out of the firing line for a little while.
Chelsea is not the ideal match for Alioski to come into, but his second-half showing changed the narrative around him and at least posed some welcome selection questions.
Pushing Dallas and Rodrigo into the middle of midfield looks like United’s best course of action on recent evidence.
