Leeds United striker Caleb Ekuban has endured a difficult time since arriving at Elland Road in the summer.
When Caleb Ekuban scored on his Leeds United debut back in August, few Whites fans would have imagined that he would reach the midway point in March without scoring a single Championship goal for the club.
The 23-year-old has rarely been first-choice during his time at Elland Road, and injuries have seen the Italian-born youngster spend large spells of the season on the sidelines. Nevertheless, he is starting to test the fans’ patience.
Paul Heckingbottom has started Ekuban in Leeds’ last two games, and in both of the fixtures, the former Chievo Verona man has had glorious chances to open his league account for the club.
Against Sheffield Wednesday last time out in particular, Ekuban had the kind of opportunity that strikers would dream of as a brilliantly-worked free-kick gave the forward the simplest chance to put Leeds in front. However, somehow, he managed to put the ball straight at the goalkeeper.
His struggles were exacerbated by Jay-Roy Grot coming on later in the day and ending his own drought by scoring what looked to be Leeds’ equaliser in the dying minutes. The Owls, of course, would strike again to bag the three points.
There appears to be a reluctance to criticise Ekuban too harshly as his attitude is impressive. There can be no questions or speculation over whether he cares when he misses a chance as his frustration is obvious. And, while it may have come in a significantly less competitive league, he did arrive at Leeds having scored 17 goals in Albania last year, so writing him off so soon would perhaps be unfair after such a turbulent season.
What Heckingbottom must consider however, is whether it is now worth looking to loan Ekuban out next season to allow the striker to build up his confidence again by getting some regular game-time and hopefully, plenty of goals.
Ekuban has potential and is a different type of focal point to someone like Pierre-Michel Lasogga who is much more lethal in front of goal, but keeping him at Leeds next season may be a gamble if he does not play regularly.
It feels as though once Ekuban scores once, his confidence may get the kind of boost that ensures that this current drought remains the longest of his Leeds career no matter how long he spends at Elland Road. But if he cannot end that wait for a goal this season, perhaps loaning him out this summer needs to be seriously considered.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
