After seeing Roque Junior play at Elland Road, after witnessing the disappointment of the salmon-leaping Adryan and observing the leaden performances of Edgar Çani, you can understand the reluctance of Leeds United fans to show passion when signing ‘the next exciting youngster’.
However, the Whites have taken on loan one Hadi Sacko – an ‘exciting’ French forward whose parent club is Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon. When Sporting signed Sacko from his native France they placed a ‘release clause’ fee into his contract; not just any release clause but one with a reputed €60m value.
Last night was the first chance that United fans got to see what the French youngster can do since his season-long loan from Portuguese giants Sporting, and the youngster repaid the anticipation of these fans with a well-taken 13th minute goal to put the Whites 2-0 up on the night.
Early season Sacko at Leeds – no one’s leaving
This Leeds fan took to Twitter to simply wish the new boy well on his debut goal and dream of more for the future.
@miimosaa congrats on your first #LUFC goal.👍🏻 lets hope for many more of the same
— I❤️Klich (@dskimcbski) July 13, 2016
This fan was also pleased at the youngster’s first outing for Leeds, also being hopeful that there’s more that can be encouraged from him.
https://twitter.com/433Lucas_/status/753319108679172097
It’s early days yet but that hasn’t stopped Leeds fan Ste getting a little excited over Sacko’s performance.
Nice first win of the season. Sacko is a world beater…🎶 We're gonna win the league we're gonna win the league 🎶 #lufc
— Ste Greenan (@StevenGreenan) July 13, 2016
Leeds fan Mr Gelderd even put Sacko to song – with a caveat at the ending of course.
♪Hadi Sacko
Costs less than Sterling and scores more goals*♪*unless his €60mil release clause is activated of course. #lufc
— Mr Geldard (@MrJGeldard) July 13, 2016
In reply to Phil Hay’s Tweet, Leeds fan Paul picks up on one encouraging aspect of Hadi Sacko’s game that could encourage Leeds United fans.
https://twitter.com/IChewCandles/status/753300703939035136
Meanwhile the famed Leeds Viking wonders what problems the pacey Frenchman will cause if let loose with wild abandon next season.
https://twitter.com/ant82LUFC/status/753294149101690881
In a way, the pensive thought
This sacko fellas gonna be trouble in championship this year https://t.co/EKHmUog4HD
— BFS (@BRADFRAZER) July 13, 2016
Leeds fan Armo nicks a bit of Noel Whelan-esque commentary for his Tweet.
get in Sacko lad
— Armo☀️🌙 #GrazieVale (@Jordan_Armo) July 13, 2016
Last word goes to Leeds fan Jase who points out just how effective two of Leeds’ new boys could be.
Roofe and Sacko look like they could cause some aggravation out on the wings don't they.
— Jase 🦁 🦁 🦁 (@Jase0909) July 14, 2016
It’s early days yet with regard to just how good Hadi Sacko is, far too early to get carried away anyway. However, there were flashes of promise and that is encouraging for fans to witness. The next chance that Whites’ fans will get to see the young French forward in action will be in Saturday’s match against Shamrock Rovers where Sacko is likely to be given a run-out in the last 30 minutes of the game.
