Helder Costa has produced one assist and no goals since joining Championship Leeds United on loan from Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers.
For the second summer in a row, Leeds United fans were left thrilled with the signing of one of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ title-winning heroes.
But after left-back Barry Douglas underwhelmed in an injury-hit debut season at Elland Road, all the early signs suggest that Helder Costa too is a long way from rediscovering the form that once made him one of the Championship’s most influential attackers.
The Portuguese winger arrived in West Yorkshire on a season long loan with an obligation to buy him permanently next year for a staggering £15 million – a fee that would make Costa the second most expensive player in the club’s history behind a certain Rio Ferdinand (The Mail).
But he’s barely justifying his place in the starting XI right now, let alone a £15 million price-tag. While substitute Eddie Nketiah rescued a point for Leeds in Tuesday’s hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Preston North End, Costa once again flattered to deceive, failing to produce the creativity Leeds are screaming out for with the enigmatic Pablo Hernandez on the sidelines.
In 13 games, Costa has produced one assist and scored no goals. And, if he’s not careful, he could be about to take the scapegoat tag off a reborn Jack Harrison.
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