The Leeds United winger has fallen down the pecking order and looked out of sorts when he has featured.
A lot has changed since Leeds United completed the permanent signing of Hadi Sacko at the start of the transfer window.
The Whites now have a new manager in the form of Thomas Christiansen and director of football Victor Orta has set about bringing in a whole host of new faces to give him a squad capable of winning promotion back to the top flight come May.
The problem for Sacko is two-fold. First is the additional attacking talent now at Leeds’ disposal, with the likes of Ezgjan Alioski, Samu Saiz and Caleb Ekuban all impressing thus far. Then there is the fact that when the Frenchman has been given a chance, he has invariably disappointed.
Much like last season, Sacko is prone to poor performances interspersed with brief moments of brilliance. However this time round those moments are further apart than ever and his only notable appearance – against Port Vale in the EFL Cup – left a lot to be desired.
Sacko is too erratic for a Leeds side with aspirations of finishing the season as champions, and the strength in depth at Elland Road now means he is not even guaranteed a start for what equates to the B team.
After a five-minute cameo against Bolton Wanderers on the opening day, the 23-year-old has been omitted from the next three Championship squads and, perhaps most telling of all, he was overlooked for this week’s EFL Cup match against Newport County.
Quite simply Leeds no longer need Sacko, and while it would be a bizarre scenario to sell him so soon after signing him, a loan exit may not be beyond the realms of possibility.
If he is not even deemed worthy of playing the role of impact sub, one wonders just how much football he will get if he stays.
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