Leeds United would have already secured promotion from the Championship this season if they had played Eddie Nketiah more often, that is according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The 20-year-old spent the first half of the current campaign on loan at the Whites from Arsenal but failed to make much of an impact at Elland Road.
Indeed during his brief spell, he managed just two Championship starts with his other 15 appearances coming from the bench as Marcelo Bielsa instead opted to choose Patrick Bamford ahead of him (Transfermarkt).
In his 17 league outings, he only scored three times (Transfermarkt) and in the end he was recalled by his parent club in January. However, since returning to Arsenal he has impressed, scoring three times in seven appearances in all competitions (Transfermarkt).
The latest of those strikes came against Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Monday, which prompted the tweet from Jacobs. However, many Leeds fans have hit back, suggesting that Nketiah didn’t fit their system and therefore Bielsa was right to rarely use him.
Here is what some had to say…
If you knew anything about football, you’d know he didn’t fit the system. But I wont waste the energy in explaining sexy Bielsa Ball to you. Just angrily watch as we go up anyway xxxx
— Brandon Yates (@Brandon7Yates) March 3, 2020
Lazy journalism he didnt fit into our system at all, no doubting he is quality striker though.
— Andy Pantling (@AndyPantling) March 3, 2020
Absolute rubbish, which you would know if you watched #lufc regularly.
— Nigel F (@TheNfster) March 3, 2020
Wrong, he couldn’t hold the ball up and link play which in case you need reminding is how we play
— Ben Parker (@bensuperparker) March 3, 2020
We always conceded when he came on, as didn’t track back and build play like Bamford. Still a great player, but just didn’t work in our system that well. May have though if Arsenal hadn’t recalled him.
— Josey back up North (@jemccudden) March 3, 2020
Nketiah wasn’t strong enough to play the Bielsa system. He couldn’t win the ball or hold it up. He is a great player for running onto through balls but unfortunately when most teams park the bus against us, this wasn’t an option
— David Stuart (@whiterosedave) March 3, 2020
As good as eddie is proving to be, he fits Arsenals system. He didnt fit the way Leeds play. Great player. Love the lad. But watching leeds week in week out, u r weong in what u say IMO.
— Jamie LUFC (@Jam13Simmo) March 3, 2020
They did against West Brom…he was dreadful too soft, too lazy too Arsenal he scored against Pompey last night not real Madrid
— Liam watson ⚽️ (@Liamwatson005) March 3, 2020
Leeds fans, should Marcelo Bielsa have utilised Eddie Nketiah more earlier in the season? Let us know your thoughts below…