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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…
Speaking to episode 68 of the Inside Elland Road podcast, Graham Smyth has claimed that Helder Costa left Marcelo Bielsa visibly angry last Saturday.
What’s he said?
Leeds remarkably came away from their clash with Derby at the weekend with a 1-1 draw. The Whites were in control for the vast majority, achieving over 60% of the possession but still didn’t win despite missing a penalty.
Costa was brought on during the second half but didn’t have the desired impact as he failed to contribute in a way he has done previously.
To date, he has claimed three assists in all competitions but is yet to start a single game in the Championship. Judging by Smyth’s comments on the Inside Elland Road podcast, that might not be so much of a surprise. He said:
“There was an interesting little moment on Saturday when Helder Costa hadn’t been on long. Bielsa was trying to direct him to go wider to go out and hug the touchline the way Harrison had done to good effect in the first half but he trotted inside and took up a no.10 role and Bielsa was quite visibly angered by Helder doing this – maybe not listening to instructions or not doing what Bielsa had wanted him to do.
“I’m just wondering if he hasn’t had enough time under Bielsa yet to instinctively know where he should be when Leeds have the ball in a certain area of the pitch. I wonder if it’s just a time issue.”
Costa conundrum developing
This has given a fascinating insight into why Bielsa is insisting on starting the Portuguese winger on the bench.
Costa has contributed to 15 goals and 14 assists in two seasons in the Championship for Wolves and a lack of quality in wide areas, particularly from Jack Harrison, has seen Leeds supporters demand his presence in the side.
Harrison has only completed one accurate cross all season so those calls seem understandable.
However, if he cannot take on board the instructions from Bielsa perhaps it is just a matter of time and adapting to the Argentine’s methods.
Despite his poor end product, Harrison has proved himself to be a hard worker and it might be that aspect that Costa is lacking to really stake his claim.
This moment from Saturday’s draw is unlikely to help his cause too much.
