This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It’s fair to say that one of Leeds United’s best players is Pablo Hernandez.

The Spaniard has won the club’s Player of the Year award for the past two seasons, and it’s no coincidence that Leeds’ frontline have struggled for goals while he’s been out with injury this term.

Aged 34, the midfielder is unfortunately in the twilight of his career, and despite the Whites signing a £15m man in his position last summer they may still have to look for a replacement in the near future.

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Replacement needs lining up

With Hernandez well into his 30s and his contract expiring at the end of the season, Leeds certainly need a strategy for when their talisman hangs up his boots.

The former Spain international provides an element of class that no other player in the team really has, and it’ll be hard to replace that, but it’s certainly a necessary move that United need to make.

Marcelo Bielsa does have another player he can call upon in that position, but he’s certainly not a like for like replacement for the ex-Swansea City man.

Costa not the man

Unfortunately for the Yorkshire outfit, Helder Costa isn’t the man to fill the Spaniard’s boots.

The Portuguese winger isn’t the creative force that Hernandez is, and when he eventually calls it a day on his career the 25-year-old won’t be able to provide the creativity that his senior teammate provides.

Indeed, the 34-year-old’s strengths lie in his ability to unlock a defence and the 2.4 key passes he completes per game are vital to Leeds’ attacks, but that element is lost when Costa is playing in his absence as he makes just 0.5 key passes per match – that’s despite now starting on a regular basis.

To add another worrying factor, Bielsa has stated in the past that the £10.8m-rated Wolves loanee is struggling to replicate his fellow winger, suggesting he doesn’t drift off the wing to provide support in a central area.

When Hernandez goes, Leeds will either have to adapt their style to be more suited to a player of Costa’s ilk or find another man who can bring what the midfielder provides.