Leeds United loanee Eddie Nketiah has three goals for the Whites already.
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa had the demeanour of a crestfallen man at the end of last season.
Leeds had done the hard work, only to let it slip in the final weeks.
Bielsa rightly bemoaned the way his side had repeatedly failed to take their chances, having done the hard work by creating them.
He told The Independent in April: “If we had normal efficiency we would have 10 or 12 more points than we do have. That is not the case.”
Leeds moved to sign Arsenal youngster Eddie Nketiah at the start of the month, one of the brightest strikers in English football.
Nketiah was once coached by Thierry Henry at Arsenal, who described him as a ‘killer’ in front of goal.
Henry told ESPN: “He will always score goals, even when he’s 60. He is just a killer in the box.”
Nketiah has lived up to that expectation already, as his three strikes show.
They have been simple goals aesthetically, ones which he makes look easy, thanks to his movement, quick thinking, and alertness.
The goal against Salford saw him drift away from his marker and connect with a Helder Costa cross.
Against Brentford he ghosted unmarked into space and again met a Costa assist to fire home a winner.
Last night against Stoke he was alert to a Jack Butland error, and took full advantage of the out of form goakeeper’s poor clearance.
Nketiah has barely got started in the Championship, with Bielsa using him sparingly. He will get his chances, his form demands it.
Leeds needed a fox in the box, a player who can strike when the opponents lose concentration, and make sure the chances created do not go to waste.
After just a month, it seems the Whites might have found the key taking their team to the next level.
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