Report reveals Nketiah was set to nail down Leeds starting place

A report from The Athletic has revealed that Eddie Nketiah was due to start four games in a row for Leeds United before his injury.

Nketiah’s slow start to life at Elland Road was well documented. Marcelo Bielsa’s reluctance to start to the striker on a regular basis raised concerns that he may be recalled in January.

However, the striker remained patient and continued to take his chances from the bench.

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This is a real kick in the teeth for everybody involved. Nketiah himself, Leeds United fans and even Arsenal fans will be wondering what could’ve been if the striker didn’t suffer that injury.

With five goals in all competitions for Leeds in 12 appearances, the striker should’ve been given a chance to start a league game much sooner.

Now, he once again faces an uphill battle to get into the team ahead of Patrick Bamford, who Bielsa has clearly favoured this season.

The latter has continued to impress in Nketiah’s absence, making it very unlikely that Bielsa will drop him.

The Leeds boss surely must now consider the prospect of playing the two together alongside one another.

Bamford’s all-round game, work rate and Championship experience, coupled with Nketiah’s instinctive finishing could make for a lethal strike partnership that will only boost their promotion chances.

It’s a situation that Arsenal will have to continue monitoring over the coming weeks and months before making a decision on his future if things don’t improve.