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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
As Eddie Nketiah prodded home a close-range attempt from a Helder Costa cross on Wednesday evening, it was claimed that you’d fear for your life if you were next to Victor Orta.
And indeed that was proven after an image was shared of a TV screen missing from in front of where he was sat at Elland Road.
Why he went so crazy is understandable. He had a considerable say in bringing Nketiah to the club whilst the impact of a late goal to win a game is always sure to spark jubilation.
The Arsenal forward has had a bright start to life at Elland Road, scoring against Salford and netting in a U23 fixture before finally earning his Championship debut in midweek.
However, Costa was the real star, injecting energy and a sense of life into the game that had been missing against Brentford.
Signed on loan from Wolves during the transfer window, the Portuguese has had to wait patiently for his turn being reduced to appearances from the bench in the league.
Like Nketiah, he impressed against Salford in the Carabao Cup, claiming two assists, but this was the first true glimpse of what he’s all about.
In his previous two years in the Championship, Costa has scored 15 goals and added a further 14 assists. This, therefore, was his 15th in England’s second-tier.
The 5 foot 10 winger was a threat as soon as he came on, being moved to an unfamiliar position of right wing-back after Marcelo Bielsa shifted to three in defence.
He completed two tackles, evidence of the fact he was playing further back, but it was his play going forward that proved devastating.
Subbed on with 25 minutes to play for Jack Harrison, he showed what Leeds were missing, making 43 touches which was more than the man he’d replaced had managed in over an hour.
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This small cameo from Costa is sure to give his manager plenty of food for thought heading into the coming weeks.
Leeds haven’t struggled for goals this term, scoring seven in four Championship outings, but there were a few signs of some weary legs on Wednesday, particularly from 34-year-old Pablo Hernandez who was slated by his own supporters.
A degree of rotation will be needed at some point and considering the options Bielsa has at his disposal on the flanks, it’s an area they can afford to change up at times.
Costa has proven how good he can be at this level, performing two dribbles as well as making one key pass in midweek, and considering that superb impact, a first league start for the Whites is surely on the horizon.
His record for Wolves is only further evidence of that. With Hernandez off the pace against Brentford, it could well come at the Spaniard’s expense or potentially force a change of position to a more central role.
That’s something Bielsa will need to consider as he looks to guide this Leeds squad through another demanding Championship campaign.
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