Expectations of expensive footballers are always high, whether it’s the head coach or the supporters, but the long-term impact of injuries cannot be ignored. Luis Sinisterra was scintillating in Leeds United’s win over Nottingham Forest last week, but Javi Gracia has stressed the need for patience after two long absences this season.
The manner of the 23-year-old’s start to 2022/23 made comparisons with Raphinha irresistible. Leeds had seemingly traded one South American winger for another.
Between late August and late September, there were six goals in six games for club and country before that red card against Aston Villa brought him crashing back to Earth. Injury would strike before the end of October.
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Sinisterra was missing from United’s line-up for 11 matches and three months, which included the World Cup pause on proceedings. There would be just three starts at Accrington Stanley, Forest and Manchester United before he returned to the medical room.
There would be another seven games outside the starting line-up before that recall at Arsenal by Gracia. The goal and performance against Forest was the first reminder in a long time of those autumn highs.
Asked, before Sunday’s Crystal Palace loss, if there was a lot more to come from the Colombian, Gracia said: “I expect, always, more than my players and in this case as well.
“Luis Sinisterra is coming from a long time injured and, for sure, he can improve his level, but [in] the last game he played [at] a high level.”
Pushed on where the winger might be able to improve, Gracia could only say in every regard, such is Sinisterra’s young age. However, the Spaniard noted how well the wide man had already done considering how much football he had missed this season.
“[He can improve] in all of them (attributes),” said Gracia. “He can score more goals, he can assist more, he can maybe defend better.
“He can do many things better, but knowing, first of all, he is doing many, many things well and after a long time injured. That, for me, is very difficult.”
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