In today's Leeds United roundup we take a look at what news has been making the headlines for the Whites. Helder Costa looks set to start his first Championship game for the club with Pablo Hernandez out, Marcelo Bielsa clears up why Patrick Bamford and Eddie Nketiah do not start together, and reports suggest the club are to deny loan bids for Ryan Edmondson unless they find themselves a new forward.

Bielsa on Bamford and Nketiah

Report: As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Bielsa will not start Bamford and Nketiah up top for the Whites, as he suggests he may have to sacrifice a midfielder to do so. The Argentine said: "Patrick gives things to the team Eddie can also give. Patrick is a goal scorer, Eddie as well. Their difference in style is not too big because both of them can fill the position with the same efficiency.

"Patrick’s initial advantage over Eddie is he has more time with us, more experience and he is older than Eddie. What you are talking about, this polemic, is one of the things supporters like and the press like as well.

"If Bamford doesn’t play, you will ask why Nketiah does play, and if they both play you ask why Klich or Forshaw doesn’t play.

"It’s difficult to answer this polemic. This talk about different situations and that is fair and is nice. Sometimes, the reality offers space for this polemic. Sometimes this polemic is over the reality. What nobody can complain about is the winning."

Verdict: Indeed, it does seem that if Bamford and Nketiah are to start together, a man from the midfield must be dropped. Like they did against Derby, Leeds have set up in a five man midfield a lot this season and considering they boast the best defence in the Championship, it would be surprising to see Bielsa alter the backline and therefore probably sacrifice a midfielder for Nketiah instead.

This in itself is a tough decision, considering Kalvin Philipps has played every minute so far, whilst Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich have averaged a 6.83 rating and 7.03 respectively, with even academy graduate Jamie Shackleton giving the boss some food for thought lately, playing four times so far and starting against the Rams.

There is also the fact the Arsenal loanee has scored twice from coming off the bench in the league, whilst Bamford has netted four times from a starting role. So, perhaps using Nketiah as a 'super-sub' would be wiser anyway.

Costa to start against Charlton

Report: As told in his pre-match press conference, Bielsa spoke on how it is time for Costa to make his first start for his new club. He said: "Pablo Hernandez is not going to play, he has a muscular problem. He felt that warming up in the last match and today it is not good.

"He is not well enough to play. It is Helder Costa who will play. Costa is prepared, he is ready, I can not say I am happy because people will think I am happy Pablo is not playing! I am happy that if it's not Pablo then it's Helder!"

Shackleton also spoke about ex-Wolves man: "Helder gives everything in training, he has been on the bench and if you slot him in things don't look disjointed and hopefully add a bit more. He is brilliant one on one," said the 19-year-old. Verdict: Costa signed from Wolves in the summer for a deal which will see him stay at the club until 2024, but so far has had to play each of the eight Championship games from the bench, seeing just 168 minutes. The 25-year-old brings with him proven experience and quality in the second tier. In his first season with the Wanderers, he bagged 10 goals and eight assists and the next year played a huge role in the club's promotion to the Premier League, scoring five times and providing six assists (as per WhoScored). Although, the Portuguese international will come in as a replacement for Hernandez, who will undoubtedly be missed. The Spaniard has continued his red hot form from the last two seasons which has seen him win consecutive Player of the Year awards, after slotting home two goals and pitching in with two assists this campaign. However, his replacement in Costa is a healthy addition considering his track record in this league, which saw him win the Wolves Player of the Year during their Championship campaign of 2016-17.

Whites set to decline offers for Edmondson

Report: According to Football Insider, 18-year-old Edmondson is the subject of strong interest from League One and Two sides, but the Whites are unwilling to loan him out in January unless they bring in a forward themselves. The report suggests Bielsa sees the teenager as a backup to Bamford and Nketiah, should either of them be unavailable. Verdict: It is always a wise decision to keep as many players as you can in the Championship, as clubs play 46 times in the competition and juggle FA Cup and League Cup duties, with even perhaps the possibility of the play-offs at the end of the season. It is also important to remember that Bamford - who has so far started every game - has struggled with injuries in recent years, missing 22 games last season alone, whilst Nketiah is only now adjusting to first-team football at the age of 20. Leeds are currently playing with just the one up top, and if Bamford were to be sidelined, the Bielsa would be low in the department. It is, therefore, a wise move to keep hold of Edmondson for the remainder of the campaign.
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