da wazamba： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da 888： It’s fair to say that Helder Costa hasn’t had the best start to life at Leeds United.
Indeed, the winger arrived with high expectations after joining on loan from Wolves in a deal that will become permanent for around £15m next summer.
However, he’s been unable to live up to the standard required, failing to score and assisting just once since he joined the Elland Road outfit.
One of the most influential journalists covering Leeds United believes that he knows why Costa isn’t performing all that well.
What’s been said then?
Phil Hay hosted a Q&A session with The Athletic after the Whites’ 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Understandably, many supporters asked what the journalist thought of Costa’s performance, and he gave two very similar responses.
“He had a decent second half and he’s coming good little by little – still not as good as a £16m winger should be but I’ll say it again, he doesn’t always have the space he needs to play in. That’s his strength.” Hay responded to the first question.
The writer then answered another query in a similar manner.
“I said on the last post-match Q&A that I haven’t been hugely impressed with him but he’s constrained by the way Leeds are playing. He needs space to run into and when he gets it, he’s very difficult to deal with.”
One dimensional
This isn’t anything new.
Marcelo Bielsa has previously said that his tactics aren’t suited to Costa’s pace and power, and now Hay is saying the same thing.
It’s all well and good being a fast dribbler who can beat a man, but you need to have a plan B for when that isn’t an option, and despite playing in 16 league games for his new club, Costa doesn’t seem to have another weapon in his arsenal.
These types of quotes paint Costa to be a rather one-dimensional player, and that’s a worrying reality for the fanbase.
At this rate, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was eventually dropped from the starting XI. After all, Pablo Hernandez is waiting in the wings again.