All posts by n8rngtd.top

Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills believes that Helder Costa may have played his last game for Leeds United ahead of a potential summer exit from Elland Road.

The Lowdown: Costa out for the season

The Whites picked up an impressive 3-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday afternoon as their excellent first season back in the Premier League continues. Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo scored the goals for Leeds yesterday to put them ninth place in the table.

Costa was unavailable for the match, having been ruled out for the rest of the season with a back problem.

The Latest: Mills tips Costa to leave

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills gave a bleak outlook on the future of the £32,500-per-week-earning winger, admitting that he might not play again for Leeds:

“When you’re looking at the other players on the scene, the likes of Raphinha if he stays fit, he’s pretty much going to be one of the first names on the team-sheet.

“You’ve got Jack Harrison on the other side who’s been very, very consistent. You’ll be looking to add to the squad. Obviously, when Rodrigo comes back to full fitness, he’ll be there as well.

“My question would be, where does Helder Costa fit into that? And where does he play in the current system that Leeds have?

“I’m trying to work out who he is better than at the moment with a fully-fit squad. Off the back of that, if you bring in better players over the summer that pushes him further down the pecking order. He may not play again for Leeds.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Time to move on

In truth, it may benefit all parties for Costa to move on to pastures new this summer, considering he doesn’t appear to be a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s plans. He has only managed 13 league starts out of a possible 35 this season, and when everyone is fit, it is hard to envisage that changing.

If anything, he could feature even less should a new signing arrive to provide more competition out wide, such as Leeds-linked winger Noa Lang from Club Brugge.

Costa’s current contract doesn’t expire until 2024, so Leeds should be able to receive a healthy fee for him in the summer, which could then be spent on reinforcements who may have a greater impact.

In other news, some Leeds fans have been heaping praise on one player after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Spurs. Read more here.

Celtic’s pursuit of a new manager is set to take an almighty twist at Parkhead.

That’s because a new name has emerged as a candidate to replace Neil Lennon as manager of the Bhoys.

What’s the word?

We’ve seen a number of names linked with the job including Eddie Howe, Roy Keane and Lucien Favre.

However, none are as stand out or have as much star quality as the latest name to do the rounds.

According to The Sun, Jose Mourinho has entered the race to become the new Celtic boss with the Portuguese ‘ready to go again’.

Mourinho lost his job with Tottenham this week and as a result, is now a free agent.

Whether or not the Hoops would be able to afford his wages is one thing but he’d certainly be an eye-catching appointment.

The 58-year-old is past his best but is one of the most iconic football managers on the planet.

Amazing news

Mourinho has become a modern meme but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a great capture for Celtic.

In fact, it would be one of the most landmark moments for the Bhoys in recent history.

The former Spurs boss has been sacked from his previous three roles with Chelsea, Manchester United and the Lilywhites in rather sad fashion but let us not forget just what this man has achieved.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-lampard-klimala-ajer-gossip” title= “Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

He has a win rate of over 63% in his career and has taken home two Champions League trophies and eight league titles across Europe; namely three Premier League triumphs.

Mourinho has been named Manager of the Season in England’s top-flight on three occasions while he was also awarded the gong for FIFA’s best Manager of the Year in 2010.

This is a coach, who despite his recent frailties, has been there and done it all. If you sample some of the best managers to lead a team, he would undoubtedly make the list.

Meanwhile, if there was any coach who can turn around a rather shambolic Celtic, it’s a man dubbed the ‘Special One.’

Forget Howe, forget Keane and Favre; Mourinho is the man the Hoops need.

AND in other news, Worse than Kenny: Celtic star who made just 15 passes should be finished at Paradise…

After their last swap deal involving Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan ended in disaster, the Red Devils may have been cautious to complete such transfers once again.

However, TuttoSport have suggested that the Red Devils could send the lesser-seen Donny van de Beek to Juventus in order to facilitate a move for current Bianconeri midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

It’s a move which would make perfect sense, albeit in the process admitting that bringing the Dutchman to Old Trafford was a mistake.

When comparing the two players, Rabiot comes out on top in most, if not all, facets of the game.

According to WhoScored, the former Paris Saint-Germain ace has attempted more shots per game this season – 0.8 to 0.1 – than van de Beek. Those numbers are justified in their respective outputs with Rabiot having scored twice to the Dutchman’s once.

Whilst that lack of goal threat could be a direct consequence of van de Beek’s lack of action and the fact that his position is occupied by Bruno Fernandes, there is not a single attacking statistic in which the former Ajax man is victorious.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-man-united-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=” Latest Man United transfer rumours and news!”]

He completes fewer key passes and fewer passes in general, whilst the only positive he has on his Juventus counterpart is that he only has 0.7 unsuccessful touches per game to Rabiot’s 1.3.

Meanwhile, the Frenchman has a far better pass success rate and contributes 3.3 greater defensive contributions per appearance than van de Beek.

They are certainly statistics which could suggest that Rabiot is a fantastic all-around midfielder, a sentiment echoed by Old Lady boss Andrea Pirlo, who has labelled him as a “complete player”.

It appears that Manchester United would be getting a far better player in return, so Ed Woodward should certainly consider jettisoning van de Beek in exchange for Rabiot in a deal which could potentially be far more profitable than the disastrous Sanchez and Mkhitaryan swap.

AND in more news, take a look at which Red Devils legend has saved the club “millions”…

Former Manchester United man Keith Gillespie has urged the club to join the bidding for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, telling Football FanCast that he is worried about the potential ramifications of Manchester City signing the star.

Haaland has become one of the best strikers in world football during his time at Dortmund.

The Norway international has scored 33 goals in 31 games in all competitions this season and is set to be at the centre of a transfer tug of war this summer.

Reports claim that City are interested in snapping the 20-year-old up, as are Real Madrid, but Gillespie believes that United need to flex their muscles and attempt to snaffle him away from the German club.

Indeed, he believes City signing him would almost guarantee them next season’s Premier League title.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, Gillespie said: “City are so far ahead at the minute, get Haaland, he’s the hottest property probably in world football at the minute, his stats are incredible.

“I’ve seen him playing for Norway at Windsor Park against Northern Ireland and the two finishes he had were just out of this world. You would break the bank to get somebody like that because if Man City get him, you’ve absolutely no chance of competing to win the league.”

Gillespie believes that Haaland will become available – if he does not go this summer, a clause in his contract activates that means he will be available for £66.6m in 2022, per The Athletic – and that he would be perfect for either Manchester club, sending a message to Ed Woodward to act if the opportunity arises.

He added: “He’s a natural finisher, he’s young as well, and he’s going to come into that Man City team and score a lot of goals because of the players he’d have around him, so I think it’s important that United compete with Man City should he become available.

“I think he will become available with whatever clause he has in his contract but I suppose money talks and whatever’s offered, Dortmund might cash in.

“Certainly, they need to be showing that they are interested in a player like him, and obviously there’s been talk about Haaland before with Man United, that he is one that is on their radar.”

Alejandro Garnacho has been called up by Lionel Scaloni to join Lionel Messi and Co in the Argentina squad for their upcoming friendlies in March.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Argentina to face El Salvador & Costa Rica in two friendlies
• Garnacho rewarded for impressive displays with Man Utd
• Messi to miss MLS clash with New York Red Bulls

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  China's decision to close its doors to the Argentine National Team following controversy surrounding Messi's absence from an Inter Miami fixture in Hong Kong led to the cancellation of two scheduled friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Nigeria. However, the United States has stepped in to host Argentina, offering an opportunity for Scaloni's side to continue their preparations on American soil ahead of the 2024 Copa America.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Argentina's itinerary includes two friendlies in March. The first match will see them face El Salvador at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on March 22. Four days later, they will take on Costa Rica at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on March 26. However, Messi's international duties mean he will miss Inter Miami's clash against the New York Red Bulls on March 23 at Red Bull Arena.

• Getty
  

  TELL ME MORE

  Garnacho has been in inspirational form for Manchester United in February which led Scaloni to call him for the next set of friendlies. He scored a brace against West Ham in a 3-0 win and also set up Rasmus Hojlund against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road to churn out a narrow 2-1 win victory. In addition to Garnacho's call-up, Scaloni has also included Valentín Barco and Facundo Buonanotte of Brighton in the squad, further diversifying the team's talent pool and providing opportunities for emerging players to showcase their abilities on the international stage. Meanwhile, experienced campaigners like Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, Manchester City's Julian Alvarez and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez will also cross the Atlantic to join their national teammates.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• ARGENTINA SQUAD IN FULL

  Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Walter Benítez, Emiliano Martínez

  Defenders: German Pezzella, Nehuen Pérez, Nicolas Otamendi Cristian Romero, Nicolás Tagliafico Marcos Senesi, Nahuel Molina, Valentín Barco

  Midfielders: Ezequiel Palacios, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso , Nicolás Gonzalez, Facundo Buonanotte

  Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho, Valentín Carboni, Angel Di María, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Paulo Dybala

With a clash against fellow Premier League new boys Fulham on Friday night, Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has got some very big calls to make over his team selection.

The Argentine made the decision to bring Gjanni Alioski back into the starting line-up against Chelsea after bringing him on as a substitute at half-time in the 2-0 defeat to West Ham the game prior.

But, the 29-year-old delivered a largely forgettable display against Thomas Tuchel’s side, with his 6.6 match rating as per Sofascore being the lowest of any Leeds starter, so he let his manager down, after he’d brought him back into the side.

He was dribbled past three times on the day, with only Stuart Dallas being bypassed more by a Chelsea player. Alioski also struggled to keep hold of the ball, losing possession on 16 occasions, with only two other Leeds teammates conceding more.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, former Whites striker Noel Whelan slammed Alioski for his performance at Elland Road, saying: “Leeds need a natural full-back there that you know can cover most bases, definitely defensively because as much as he gives everything, he is a liability. He’s not the best of defenders.

“I think that’s why you could see a lot going down that left-hand side, really targeting Alioski and you saw that frailty there at times.”

With Fulham just beginning to show signs of life in recent weeks – they beat champions Liverpool at Anfield earlier this month – Leeds will need to ensure they’re defensively sound when they make the trip to face the Cottagers.

It’s exactly why the £55k-a-week earning Alioski should be dropped from the side to face Fulham on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa should urge a move for this Premier League star…

The midfielder scored the only goal of the game at the Vitality Stadium as the Norway international once again spurned multiple chances

Manchester City moved back to within a point of Premier League leaders Liverpool as they secured their second successive 1-0 win of the week, this time on the road at Bournemouth thanks to yet another goal from in-form midfielder Phil Foden.

City scored the only goal of the game just after the 20 minute mark, as Foden finished coolly after Erling Haaland saw his shot saved. The Norway international had a game to forget, in truth, as he again missed a number of chances to give City some breathing space on the south coast.

Bournemouth were bold and brave in the second half as they attempted to snatch a point, but the defending champions held firm and subsequently avoided a potential banana skin.

GOAL rates City's players from the Vitality Stadium…

• Getty Images
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Ederson (7/10):

  Made a superb early save to deny Kerkez and saved well from Solanke's close-range header in the second half. Never wilted under the home side's aggressive positioning in attack, and kept his sheet clean.

  Manuel Akanji (5/10)

  Beaten a couple of times down the right and could be more adventurous when he has the ball, to give City another option in attack.

  John Stones (6/10):

  Pushed forward repeatedly, even winning a free-kick on the edge of the box in the first half. Bournemouth did seem to wise up to those runs in the second half, but a strong showing.

  Ruben Dias (6/10):

  Made a vital clearance to deny Tavernier and kept his defence well-organised against Bournemouth's second-half pressure.

  Nathan Ake (7/10):

  So composed on the ball. Slipped before Tavernier saw his effort cleared, but some really strong one-on-one defending otherwise. City's best defender on the day.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Midfield

  Rodri (6/10):

  Constantly scanning and keeps City ticking. Had to do more defensive work than he would have expected in the second half, but did so with a minimum of fuss.

  Mateo Kovacic (6/10):

  Very good at relieving pressure by shielding and winning free-kicks, but his positioning often left something to be desired, as he consistently pushed up, leaving Rodri as the sole anchor in midfield. Subbed late.

  Matheus Nunes (5/10):

  Deployed, unusually, on the left flank. Mostly peripheral prior to his substitution after the hour, as he was replaced by Doku.

• Getty Images
  

  Attack

  Bernardo Silva (6/10):

  Some beautiful touches and a curling effort that flew just wide, while he repeatedly tried to free Haaland of Bournemouth's marking, to varying degrees of success.

  Erling Haaland (4/10):

  Sent clean through by Foden early on but blazed wide, before his next shot was saved and converted by his England team-mate. Guardiola will surely be concerned that he had more than one opportunity when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but simply couldn't find the back of the net. A poor showing by his standards and his substitution only confirms as much.

  Phil Foden (8/10):

  Opened the scoring as he followed in and finished after Haaland saw a shot saved. A poacher's effort. Constantly linked with Bernardo and Haaland, and looked City's most dangerous player every time they attacked.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Subs & Manager

  Jeremy Doku (6/10):

  On for the ineffective Nunes. Mucked in defensively, even if he didn't really affect the game in the final third.

  Julian Alvarez (6/10):

  On for Haaland. Barely touched the ball.

  Kevin De Bruyne (5/10):

  On for Kovacic to help see the game out. Did not have enough time to weave his usual magic, but was booked for kicking the ball away.

  Pep Guardiola (6/10):

  A bizarre choice to play Nunes on the left didn't work, but City got over the line despite inviting plenty of pressure in the second half. He will know they are capable of so much more.

Hugo Lloris’ future at Spurs has been a hot topic of discussion for fans and pundits alike in recent months, especially in January when the 34-year-old was reportedly attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

The French shot-stopper has admitted in the past that he won’t finish his career with Spurs, and with his current contract set to run out at the end of next season, it seems as if Daniel Levy will soon have to begin the search for his successor.

However, he may already have the ideal man to replace Lloris at Spurs in academy graduate Alfie Whiteman, with the Englishman having established himself as Spurs’ third-choice goalkeeper this season.

The 22-year-old is a product of Spurs’ youth academy and made his first team debut for the club earlier in the season when he came on as a late substitute for Joe Hart in a Europa League fixture against Ludogorets.

Mourinho clearly has faith in the youngster, as he was more than willing to send Paulo Gazzaniga out on loan during the winter transfer window, despite the Argentinian featuring a lot last season when Lloris was sidelined through injury.

Hart was perhaps only brought in to increase Spurs’ homegrown quota, and considering he will turn 34 next month, it surely won’t be long until we see Whiteman move ahead of him in the pecking order with the north London club.

The young shot-stopper has been a regular with Spurs’ academy sides in recent years and signed a new contract with the club in 2019, which will keep him there until 2022 at least. He also comes endorsed by ex-Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robison, who told Football Insider last autumn that he has “been impressed with” what he has seen of Whiteman at under-23 level.

Therefore, if Lloris – who reportedly earns £100,000 per week at Spurs – does leave the north London club in the near future, then perhaps it is time the Lilywhites put their faith in Whiteman to step up as his replacement.

After all, he wouldn’t be in and around the first team squad if Mourinho didn’t believe in his ability, so hopefully we will see the youngster get more regular first team opportunities soon, as there seems no reason why he can’t be the man to ultimately replace Lloris at Spurs.

And, in other news… 12 duels won: Spurs beast was superb vs Zagreb; Jose has a big call to make

Glasgow Rangers may be out of the Europa League, but their performances in Europe this term has done wonders for Scotland’s coefficient.

Rangers’ silver lining

The Gers were knocked out in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday after they lost 3-1 to Slavia Prague on aggregate.

While they are no longer in the competition, Scotland are now up to 11th in the coefficient standings and are set to stay there (ESPN, Dale Johnson) – that means the winners of the Scottish Premiership next term are all but guaranteed to have an automatic place in the Champions League from the 21/22 season.

Financially beneficial

This will no doubt be beneficial for the Gers. For a start, if they can win the Premiership again next season, they will avoid the numerous rounds of qualification they have had to go through in recent seasons in European competition, and would therefore be able to enjoy a longer pre-season.

Not only that, though, they could receive a financial boost as a result. All teams in the group stage of Europe’s premier club competition this year picked up at least €15.25m (£13.1m, football-coefficient.eu), and that is without even getting into the money they will receive from from television deals – that sum is only likely to increase in the future.

In other news, Rangers are interested in this 18-goal striker.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney face having to rename Wrexham due to a battle being fought in Wales against “English-sounding place names”.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Hollywood stars completed takeover in 2021
• Overseen progress on and off the field
• May be forced to rebrand the Welsh outfit

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Hollywood actors completed a stunning takeover at the Racecourse in 2021 and have seen the faith and funds that they have pumped into the club rewarded with promotion back into the Football League – with a push towards the third tier of English football being pieced together in 2023-24.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The sight of “Wrexham” figuring prominently on fixture lists may, however, soon become a thing of the past. reports on how a petition boasting 1,300 signatures has been presented to the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) by linguist Mihangel ap Rhisiart.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The campaign in question is calling for places such as Wrexham to be renamed as a show of “respect for Wales as its own nation with its own history and culture”. Welsh language minister Jeremy Miles has said of the argument for tinkering with the spelling of certain locations: “We should aim for one spelling when there are a few letters of difference.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Wrexham would fall into that category as the proposed change would see the Clwyd-based city become known as Wrecsam. Reynolds and McElhenney have embraced Welsh culture since buying into a historic sporting institution and will continue to meet any demands made of them on and off the field.