Costa was a fixture under Marcelo Bielsa during the initial part of the current Premier League campaign, but has since been limited to being a squad player, stepping in for first choice duo Raphinha and Jack Harrison when needed. 

 

The Portuguese started for Leeds against Liverpool in their 1-1 top flight draw on Monday night with Raphinha sidelined with injury, and was replaced by Poveda in the 67th minute.

 

 

Ex-Leeds star Whelan is of the view that Poveda did more in the game against the Reds off the bench than Costa could muster from the start, and feels the 21-year-old has more desire, skill and is more direct, making him the better winger among the two.

 

“To me after [Monday night], the short cameo that Poveda had he is ahead of Costa for me”, Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds after the Liverpool match.

 

 

“[Jack] Harrison, Raphinha, Poveda, then comes Costa.

 

“I look at Poveda, the way that he comes on, the desire, the directness, the skill, he did more in that time than Costa did for me, not saying everyone out there agrees with me, but for me when he came on, he looked exciting, he looked direct.”

 

 

Whelan explained that he prefers Poveda’s brave and more direct approach to taking on opponents over what Costa is currently giving on the pitch, with him appearing to shy away from challenges and take the safe option.

 

“Like I said he [Poveda] goes ahead of Costa for me, after [Monday night], really does.

 

“I am getting tired of seeing Costa play backwards, and sideways and not have the guts and bravery to try and take on people whether you lose the ball or not, like Poveda.

 

“He keeps going, he keeps giving it a go.”

 

It remains to be seen whether Bielsa opts to start Poveda over Costa should Raphinha continue to be sidelined when Leeds host Manchester United in the top flight on Sunday.