When Hadi Sacko was introduced at the Elland Road, search engines were triggered to satisfy the thirst of not only the Leeds United faithful but also the interest from the football fraternity as a whole as to who he really was. Signed on loan from Primeira Liga outfit Sporting CP, Sacko has a reported buyout clause of €60million in his contract, despite the fact that he wasn’t handed a single appearance for the Lions.
A lot of expectations were put on the shoulders of the winger when he was roped by the Whites, but at this point in time, no Leeds United player divides the opinion of the fans as much as Sacko does. A youngster who could ply his trade on either wing, as an attacking midfielder as well as a central midfielder, the 22-year-old does possess raw pace and is unarguably a very skilful player considering his age, but hasn’t he failed to meet the requirements of the Championship side on a consistent basis?
The Peacocks are flying high under the excellent tutelage of Garry Monk who has made his troops an efficient side with tonnes of quality on every frontier. In 37 games in the second tier of English football, Leeds United are promotion hopefuls owing to the fact that they are placed 4th in the league table with 66 points to their name and with the chances of getting a playoff ticket appearing to be likely, they need to ensure that they don’t take their foot off the accelerator in the concluding phases of the ongoing campaign.
This brings us to a player who brings sensational qualities to the side on occasions but then, goes missing to frustrate his manager and the fans alike. Sacko hands Monk’s troops the attribute of going straight at the opponents’ defenders with his venomous pace and dribble past them when required in a meticulous manner. The Frenchman has fulfilled ‘some’ of his calibre but has indeed left a lot to be desired, and no wonder why his inconsistent creases need to be nullified soon to ensure he makes a mark for himself in the game’s globe.
He has been handed 31 appearances by Monk so far this term, and he has managed to score 2 goals, register 4 assists and create 26 chances, which certainly are inferior statistics as compared to what a €60million rated player should be boasting about. Sacko has been impeccable at times, but for a major chunk of his period on the pitch, he has been paradoxical.
Nonetheless, it does appear as if the former Swansea City manager wouldn’t love to keep him under his ranks next season owing to his sporadic season for Leeds United, but with the Championship season far from over, he needs to guide him and derive the best out of him to cultivate a promotion for themselves. It does, however, sadden one and all to see a starlet with enormous potential to have been finding it troublesome to acclimatise himself to English football.
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
