Would Leeds United’s Hadi Sacko have been better off staying at Sporting Lisbon?

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Hadi Sacko swapped Sporting Lisbon for Leeds United permanently this summer – but has barely been given a chance under Thomas Christiansen.

If Hadi Sacko cannot force his way into Leeds United’s starting XI, what chance would he have had of making a mark at Sporting Lisbon this season?

The rapid winger moved to Elland Road from Sporting on a permanent basis this summer in a deal reportedly worth around £1.5 million, per the Yorkshire Evening Post. Sacko was a regular under Garry Monk in Leeds’ starting XI last season and the club did not wait around to make the 23-year-old their first signing of the transfer window.

So far, however, the signs are that Monk’s successor, Thomas Christiansen, is yet to be convinced. Sacko’s 22 minute cameo in Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Reading was only his third appearance of the Championship season, all of them coming from the bench.

Add to this the fact that Leeds’ excellent start to the season is showing signs of a collapse following a run of three straight defeats and Sacko may be wondering whether he made the right decision extending his stay in West Yorkshire.

Especially with his former club sitting just two points adrift at the top of the Primeira Liga table and preparing to face Juventus in the Champions League group stages tomorrow.

Could Jesus have worked miracles?

Sacko, meanwhile, will just be hoping that he is given a rare chance to shine in a bread-and-butter clash with Bristol City on Saturday afternoon as the pressure begins to rise on Christiansen among some sections of the Leeds’ support.

The former France Under-20 attacker would unlikely have been a regular first-team member at Sporting this season. He made just four appearances for the senior side and spent most of his time in Lisbon playing for the B team.

However, Sacko might have been given the opportunity to act as back-up to Portugal international Gelson Martins. And with coiffed coach Jorge Jesus renowned for helping players reach their full potential, Sacko might have been better off staying in Lisbon rather than spending the season stuck on Leeds’ bench.