‘Just gone backwards’: Noel Whelan gives verdict on Leeds United 26-year-old

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Noel Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds (10:03pm, December 11, 2020) that Leeds United winger Helder Costa needs to do more.

The former Leeds striker, who now works as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds, made the comments about Costa following the match against West Ham United.

The 26-year-old winger did not start the Premier League game at Elland Road on Friday evening, but he came on as a substitute in place of Jack Harrison at the start of the second half.

Whelan said about Costa on BBC Radio Leeds (10:03pm, December 11, 2020): “I still think there’s more in Helder Costa. I think he did okay. Put in a couple of decent balls. He has got to be better as well when he comes on.

“Two balls into the box, I know that’s not enough. There was quality there, if you get across the front man, there might be an opportunity. There’s got to be a lot to come from him. He started off the season like a house on fire. Just gone backwards.”

How did Helder Costa play against West Ham United?

Costa did try his best, but the former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger could not make a huge impact on the match.

The 26-year-old winger also made the foul that saw West Ham earn the free kick from which they scored the winning goal.

According to WhoScored, the winger had a pass accuracy of 71.4%, took 25 touches, attempted one dribble, made one tackle and one interception, and put in two crosses.

So far this season, Costa has made eight starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for Leeds, scoring two goals and providing two assists in the process, according to WhoScored.

Meanwhile, former Leeds goalkeeper Rob Green criticised Liam Cooper for his role in the winner for West Ham.

Green said on Sky Sports Football (10:10pm, December 11, 2020): “You look at Liam Cooper, marking Ogbonna here and I think just the pure size of Ogbonna, the height difference.

“He (Cooper) knows he’s got to do something extraordinary to win this header and he gets caught under the ball gambling to try and win it.”