Should Leeds’s injuries tempt Bielsa into Helder Costa change?

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Leeds United’s hopes of defeating West Brom on Tuesday have been dealt a blow, with Marcelo Bielsa confirming, in comments reported by Leeds Live, that Pablo Hernandez and Adam Forshaw are doubts for the game.

Hernandez has been Leeds’s talisman under Bielsa. Meanwhile, Forshaw has been one of the surprises of the season for the Whites. Having neither available looks to be a real setback.

With neither starting at Charlton Athletic at the weekend, the smart money would suggest that Leeds could be unchanged against the Baggies. Bielsa rarely rotates his players based on form, and they did play some good football, despite the 1-0 defeat.

But perhaps one change he should consider making involves Helder Costa. Costa made his first start for United against the Addicks after some bright performances off the bench.

Unfortunately for Leeds, the Portuguese was poor against Lee Bowyer’s side. That may have been down to how long it has been since he started a league game. But Bielsa will know how important it is to get the best out of Costa if Leeds are going to beat West Brom, particularly with Hernandez set to miss out.

Costa needs to step up

So perhaps he should consider bringing Costa into a more central role for Jamie Shackleton. That would then perhaps allow Tyler Roberts to play on the right in the role that Hernandez often plays. Although, it would be no surprise if Shackleton was capable of playing out wide having previously shone at right-back.

Of course, that may mean that Mateusz Klich would have to be prepared to do a little more defensive work. But Costa needs to show that he can dictate games. And based on his performance at the weekend, he may find it a little easier to do that from a more central role.

According to the Daily Mail, Leeds have committed to spending £15 million on Costa next summer. He needs to show that he can be a game-changer.

Leeds are going into a game against the league leaders off the back of a defeat and a poor run of form at home. The stage could arguably not be more perfectly set for Costa to show exactly why Leeds decided that he is worth £15 million.

And having that free role between the lines may just boost his chances of making that devastating impact that Leeds need.