Loads of Leeds United fans have been destroying Helder Costa on social media for his ‘abysmal’ performance at Brentford on Tuesday night.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa named the 26-year-old winger in the starting line-up at Griffin Park, as Costa opened his 22nd Championship fixture since moving to Elland Road on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer.
Costa would see out the full 90 minutes against the Bees despite his efforts in Greater London leaving some of the travelling fanbase underwhelmed.
The one-time international has been praised by Leeds Live for his display at Griffin Park, with the news outlet claiming it was the ‘best we have seen from the Portuguese in weeks’ while awarding him a seven out of ten for his efforts.
Costa’s ability to ‘be a menace’ by running into space and his ‘improved’ deliveries were noted in justification of his rating, whilst the Yorkshire Evening Post awarded him a six out of ten as the SL Benfica product spurned a good chance to score before heading another wide.
Should Bielsa drop Costa vs Bristol City on Saturday?
Yes
No
With the score level thanks to Liam Cooper equalising after Kiko Casilla misjudged the roll of the ball to gift Said Benrahma a goal, Costa could have put us ahead from the edge of the box though could only produce a tame effort that rolled calmly towards David Raya to collect.
As well as missing a good chance to score his first goal since December, Costa only completed 69% of his 35 passes, played one key ball, completed two of his four attempted dribbles and lost both of his aerial duels, per WhoScored data.
Our soon-to-be £15million summer signing, thanks to an obligation to buy clause, also failed to find teammates with either of his three crosses, while losing 11 of his 15 ground duels, lost possession 25 times, committed two fouls and was dribbled past twice, per Sofa Score statistics.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans offered their thoughts on Costa’s performance at Brentford…
Costa is stealing his wages. £15m player ? He was shocking tonight. Every ball that went near him ended up in Brentford attack. Bielsa has lost the plot IMO. He can’t see the most obvious flaws.
— Nugser (@nugser) February 11, 2020
Helder Costa needs discussing. I have give him the benefit of the doubt for a long time but i can’t anymore. He needs dropping #lufc
— Gaz (@gazLUFC4) February 12, 2020
Have mostly said positive things about lst night, but there is an argument to be made to give Costa a rest and return Pablo to the right. Costa saw a lot of the ball last night but failed to really do anything in the final third, completing only 12 passes and 0 crosses. #lufc pic.twitter.com/2xA7aBjUL0
— All Stats Aren’t We (@AllStatsArentWe) February 12, 2020
I usually stand up for Costa, but he was pretty poor last night. He has almost no body strength so can’t contest the ball in tight situations.
The difference with him is, he can easily turn his man and be gone right past him within a second—something few players can do.
— Charles John (@Steve192447378) February 12, 2020
Wouldn’t have given Harrison and Costa the same rating of 6. Costa was rubbish in that second half. Passes all over the place, lost his touch and his head. I’d have given him closer to a 4/10. #lufc https://t.co/xc9CfTVP6a
— David Kevin Williams (@DaveKWilliams) February 12, 2020
Costa is overrated. #lufc
— Luke George (@MrLukeGeorge) February 11, 2020
Jack Harrison needs to find an end product just as Costa does, as for Costa one word sorry Bielsa a LIABILiTY!!!!
— Lee bruton (@bruton_l) February 12, 2020
I actually like Costa but thought he was dire tonight #lufc
— Dave (@HendoLufc) February 11, 2020
Can’t we just refuse to sign Costa and settle in court like we did with Stewart? #LUFC
— Dirty Leeds (@Dirty_Leeds94) February 11, 2020
Very good performance tonight deserved more surely time to give Meslier a chance and 15M for Costa looks a waste of money imo #lufc #mot
— dean jackson (@tyke31) February 11, 2020
In other Leeds United news, a former £4m transfer target is set to become a free agent in the summer.