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da dobrowin： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
It’s likely that when Helder Costa walked through the doors of Elland Road in the summer eyebrows would have been raised.
His loan switch can become permanent for a total of £15m next summer, a considerable fee if you bear in mind this is the Championship we’re talking about.
Finding himself involved in 29 goals in just two seasons in the second tier of English football for Wolves, this was an impressive move from the Whites, but their reluctance to so far start him in the league is a puzzling decision.
A host of Leeds fans were calling for his inclusion after beating Barnsley last week while the same was said after their defeat versus Swansea.
Yet, are the worries entirely vindicated? Arguably not.
On the chalkboard
Costa hasn’t been afforded a starting berth in the league yet but has looked impressive in spells.
He’s assisted Eddie Nketiah for multiple strikes already whilst his willing running, performing one dribble a game despite a lack of minutes, shows what he’s capable of.
Comments made by Angus Kinnear this week on the Talking Shutt Podcast gives some insight into the plans they have for the Portuguese but also what he can bring to the side.
“Helder has the potential to be one of the best players in the division. He’s a player we believe has a Premier League future as well,” Kinnear said.
With that in mind, there is a clear long-term plan in place for Costa, one that doesn’t purely revolve around one season and therefore, a degree of patience needs to be considered with his selection and concerns should be dropped.
Kinnear also noted: “He’s the type of player who perhaps in those games where we’re struggling to make the breakthrough, even though we’ve got all of the possession, he’s the type of player who can make that breakthrough.”
This is one of the biggest reasons why Marcelo Bielsa has perhaps got things right so far. He has been having a devastating impact from the bench and for the time being, that is what Leeds have been utilising to their advantage.
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Nketiah has scored twice in the Championship when used as a substitute while Costa has an assist and also won the free-kick Leeds scored from at Oakwell when he came on.
There have been a variety of games where Leeds have struggled, particularly against Brentford when they didn’t score until the final ten minutes, but the fresh legs of the Wolves loanee have allowed them to get on the front foot when the opposition is tired.
It may be that utilising him when the game is more open and stretched is the best way forward.
After all, as Kinnear states, Costa can be the man to make a breakthrough when it hasn’t previously been possible. He has a better chance of doing this in the dying embers.