Leeds United have had a shaky run of results in the last few games which saw them drop to the fifth spot in the table. However, the Whites are just two points off the top so they can get back into the automatic promotion spots if they start well after the international break.
One player who has faced criticism off late is summer signing Helder Costa. The winger who was consistently making appearances off the bench from the start of the season got his chances in the last three ties in the playing eleven. However, the Portuguese winger failed to get going in the absence of Pablo Hernandez and has looked a bit rusty.
Mills on Costa’s recent performances
Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills though said that the recent criticism has been unfair on Costa. Speaking to Football Insider, Mills said, ”He’s had a few starts. Sometimes it’s difficult, he’s got a lot of promise, but Leeds haven’t been winning games in this process. I think that’s the difference – people tend to look at the new signings, how are they performing?
“Actually, you probably need to look at the whole team, some players who have been there for a while, are absolute regulars who all are not performing up to their expectations. The new signings always get the focus. First, it’s the way it is, but it is a little bit unfair.”
Why are the fans right to expect from him?
Fans would have expected Costa to hit the ground running as he has played at the Championship level before and even managed to make a few appearances in the Premier League. Moreover, his price tag of £15m has also probably made them impatient, and it is understandable why a lot is being expected out of Costa.
However, it right that much of the team has looked below par in the last month. The Whites are struggling on the left flank as well with Jack Harrison being a regular there. The Manchester City loanee has been poor with his final product time and again and he has often cut a frustrating figure on the pitch.
How can Bielsa get the best out of Costa?
We think that Costa should be given a run in on the left flank instead of Harrison when Hernandez becomes available to play on the right. The Englishman has got plenty of chances since the last season to show his worth, and maybe Bielsa is backing the wrong horse here. Costa probably deserves a bit more patience and game time, and we think that he can be highly effective in place of Harrison on the left.
