The Leeds United pair scored four goals between them in the League Cup this week.
Leeds United were busy this summer signing a whole host of new faces, and two of them filled their boots in Wednesday’s League Cup clash against Port Vale.
Samu Saiz and Caleb Ekuban had to make do with a place on the bench for the Championship opener against Bolton Wanderers. However the duo started earlier this week and seized the opportunity with both arms.
Pablo Hernandez cannot afford to let his form drop
Saiz was the hero on the night, scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory, while Ekuban added gloss to proceedings, and Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen will be happy with both players’ contributions.
While the win was important, the fact Saiz and Ekuban hit the ground running means Leeds favourites Chris Wood and Pablo Hernandez will not be able to rely on past glory for a first-team spot – even at this early stage of the season.
Having strength in depth is one thing, but ensuring anyone can perform on any given day is quite another.
While Wood and Hernandez did nothing wrong against Bolton, and the New Zealand international is the undisputed first choice forward at Elland Road, Christiansen will be pleased to see their direct rivals play so well.
It is a warning shot for Leeds’ regular starters that if they allow their standards to drop there is someone ready and eager to take their place.
Hernandez in particular should be worried, with Saiz’s hat-trick a clear indication of his talent and his desire to make a name for himself in England.
Leeds are looking very much on the up this season and everyone will have a big role to play between now and May.
The fact that no one is guaranteed a starting spot anymore – except perhaps Pontus Jansson – speaks volumes about how far Leeds have come in a single transfer window.
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