Leeds United have a very exciting forward on their hands but he runs himself into the ground.
Leeds United forward Caleb Ekuban has wasted little time impressing the club’s supporters and staking a claim to be first-choice forward at Elland Road, with his energetic, effective performances ensuring Whites fans have a new hero to cheer for.
The problem comes in the fact that Ekuban does not stop running, and when he does finally leave the field it appears he has simply run out of fuel.
That kid of tireless work-rate is one of the reasons he has won over his new fans so quickly, yet he cannot be expected to do it all on his own and Leeds need a player on the bench who can pick up he slack, maintaining that energy rather than playing a major role in its absence.
Jay-Roy Grot and Hadi Sacko should, in theory, possess the same key traits to replace Ekuban with 10 minutes to go and ensure the opposition defence has to work until the final whistle, not breathe a sigh of relief once the Ghanaian has departed.
But thus far it seems Ekuban is the only player that can do that kind of job consistently, and that is something Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen needs to work on in the weeks ahead.
If Leeds can get other players following Ekuban’s lead, they would be a real force; otherwise it may be a case of buying someone new who can replicate the summer signing’s outstanding energy.
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