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Former Leeds United full-back Danny Mills has said that he would be ‘very surprised’ if Helder Costa played for the club again. 

The lowdown

The 27-year-old secured a season-long loan move to La Liga outfit Valencia on the final day of the transfer window. The agreement contains an option, rather than an obligation, to buy come the end of the season.

Costa made only 13 Premier League starts last season, and the £25m arrival of Dan James could limit his long-term Elland Road prospects even further.

In total, he has contributed seven goals and seven assists across 65 appearances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side between the Championship and the Premier League (via WhoScored).

The latest

Mills believes that the loan move to Valencia suits both parties,and fully expects Costa to move on permanently come next summer.

The 44-year-old told Football Insider: “He’s done OK but you can’t look at it and say it has been a hugely successful time for him at Leeds United.

“On the basis of that, it works out for both. The club needed to move him on and he needed a new challenge. That’s what has happened.

“I would be very surprised, especially with the arrival of Dan James, if he was to come back and feature again for Leeds.”

The verdict

It’s probably fair to say that Costa’s move to Leeds hasn’t exactly worked out how either party would have wanted.

The Whites paid £16m for the permanent signing, and you’d think they’ll make a considerable loss if Costa is to leave. Indeed, he is now rated at just £9m by Transfermarkt.

With Ian Poveda loaned to Blackburn, it’s clear that Marcelo Bielsa was anything but happy with his reserve options out wide. As Mills has said, James’ big-money arrival could well be the death knell for Costa’s future at Elland Road.

In other news, David Norris says Leeds have pulled off a ‘huge’ feat.

After signing three new players on transfer deadline day, Celtic supporters were eager for the international break to end so they could respond to their Old Firm defeat a fortnight ago.

Fortunately, the Hoops bounced back in perfect style with a 3-0 win over Ross County.

They may have been missing Kyogo Furuhashi through injury but Albian Ajeti popped up with a rare set of goals to help Celtic across the line.

On the chalkboard

One of the most eye-catching parts of Ange Postecoglou’s team selection on Saturday was not a debut for Cameron Carter-Vickers or Jota but instead the decision at right-back.

Anthony Ralston was nowhere to be seen in the squad as Josip Juranovic began the game on that side.

Juranovic earned his own debut against Rangers last time out but played at left-back with Greg Taylor injured.

It was a competent first outing for the Croatian but as he showed over the international break, he simply has to play on the right.

He was in exceptional form for his country as he kept three clean sheets in a row and delivered 14 crosses across those outings.

That was in stark contrast to his performance on the left a few weeks ago when he only produced two deliveries in the entire game.

The 26-year-old’s outing against Ross County showed similar glimpses of quality as he lost just one ground duel and supplied a key pass.

It will take a while before Juranovic is entirely up to speed with Postecoglou’s style of play but it was evident here that he is now the first option on the right.

Ralston has had an excellent start to the season and deserves immense praise for the way he’s taken on the mantle in defence.

The Scot only played once in the entirety of last season but has been nothing short of superb in 2021/22. The full-back has scored two goals that Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud of and has looked untroubled in defensive situations.

Speaking earlier this term, the manager said: “From the first training session he has been really keen to understand the role and how I want him to play. And I think he has done exceptionally well, not just from an individual perspective but how he helps the team.”

However, the fear was always how his quality would match up against the best teams, particularly in continental action.

This is why Juranovic’s introduction at the moment is so vital. The Croat has plenty of international experience and that level of competency should stand Celtic in excellent stead when they kick off their Europa League campaign this week.

The £5.5k-per-week Ralston has done little wrong this season but seems to have been overtaken in the pecking order now. He should be extremely fearful.

AND in other news, Possession lost 16x: Celtic dud who won only 22.2% duels let Ange down on Saturday…

Many Everton fans have been left blasting the display of Salomon Rondon in their 3-0 away loss to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

The Venezuela international had big boots to fill as both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison were ruled out of the game, but did not really live up to expectations.

He lost out on no fewer than 15 of his duels in total in the match, far more than any other player on the pitch, and also failed to record a single shot on target, dribble or key pass, while losing possession of the ball 11 times and achieving a mere 38% pass accuracy, again the lowest out of any player (Sofascore).

Of course, it is still early in his career at Goodison Park, but Rondon must do better if he wants to start more games under Rafa Benitez.

Everton fans on Rondon display

These supporters of the Merseyside club blasted his performance on Twitter, with one Toffee even going as far as to claim that he looked like a ‘Sunday league’ player:

“Horrific result, but given the injuries we have there was little we could do to fight back. Rondon’s fitness needs addressing fast though, he was miles off it. Tough pill to swallow but we go again against QPR”

Credit: @CuffWrites

“And he’s 32 and spent the last year playing at amateur level! Poor desperate signing”

Credit: @ste50efc

“Rondon looks very rusty”

Credit: @rulitos14

“Rondon looks like a Sunday league player who sunk 10 pints last night and ate a kebab at 4am.”

Credit: @Paul_M__H

“I knew Rondon would be a waste of wages”

Credit: @evertonron

“Seen milk turn quicker than Rondon mate”

Credit: @LiamGillham93

In other news, find out what club news has Blues buzzing here!

FC Barcelona want to sign Everton target Luis Diaz from FC Porto, according to a report from MARCA. 

The lowdown

Everton tried to arrange a swap deal for Diaz during the summer transfer window, with compatriot James Rodriguez going the other way (via The Athletic).

However, the proposed move stalled because Porto were unable to meet James’ wage demands.

Diaz has made a flying start to the new Primeira Liga season, scoring five goals in Porto’s first seven matches to lead the Golden Boot race, so it’s hard to imagine Everton’s interest has done anything other than increase.

The 24-year-old has just under three years left to run on his contract at the Estadio do Dragao (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

Diaz is ‘the latest name’ added to Barcelona’s list of targets by club president Joan Laporta.

His €30million (£25.6million) price tag is apparently affordable for the Catalan giants.

Barcelona are ‘not the only club who have taken notice’ of Diaz’s form, and rival suitors may be able to offer higher wages.

But Laporta’s hope is that his ‘pitch’ will lure the Colombian to the Camp Nou.

The verdict

Everton may have missed their opportunity to land Diaz. Based on his red-hot early season form, he’s going to catch the eye of more European heavyweights, and they may simply be unable to compete if Barcelona and others of their stature all join the race.

Still, you can’t really criticise club officials for failing to negotiate a deal. It ultimately comes down to the fact that James’ representatives ‘refused to budge’ on their salary expectations.

Perhaps one final blow for the Toffees from the Colombian’s tenure on Merseyside.

In other news, many Everton fans tore into this player during their clash with Norwich. 

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as some training footage emerged of both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Seamus Coleman.

As shared by the official Twitter page of the Goodison Park faithful, both players are back in individual training as they look to try and recover as quickly as possible from their respective injuries.

Calvert-Lewin has not played since August having scored three goals in his first three games this season, and the Merseyside club have since lost 3-0 away at Aston Villa and been knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties by EFL Championship team Queens Park Rangers (Transfermarkt).

Being the captain, Rafa Benitez’s side have also missed Coleman’s leadership off of the pitch as well as on it, and so it is a big relief to see them both back in training.

Everton fans on Calvert-Lewin and Coleman training footage

These Toffees supporters were left buzzing as the training footage of both players was shared on Twitter:

“We haven’t half missed Dom hopefully he will be fit after the international break”

Credit: @steefcGT4

“Great to see both lads undertaking training.”

Credit: @PeterPapadopo11

“Great to see”

Credit: @_jennifer1878

“Good to see”

Credit: @StacyMu78345188

“I’m feeling optimistic again. Help!”

Credit: @Boxfield__

“Begging both of them are fit to play for Saturday, huge losses so far”

Credit: @taylor_davies77

In other news, find out what transfer news has Blues buzzing here!

Former Premier League star Carlton Palmer insists that Nuno Espirito Santo is not a “top” manager amid his struggles at Tottenham Hotspur.

The club are winning games, and have lost their last three Premier League outings.

The manner of those defeats have been particularly troubling, with Spurs losing 3-0 to both Crystal Palace and Chelsea, and being beaten 3-1 by Arsenal in a one-sided north London derby.

They face Aston Villa in the Premier League this weekend, with Dean Smith’s men fresh from their 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

And Palmer does not think that the club made the right move in appointing Nuno, having endured a genuinely chaotic managerial search that saw a number of names linked with the club.

Indeed, the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte and Gennaro Gattuso were all briefly considered by the club, prior to the appointment of the former Wolves boss.

The ex-England international said: “They haven’t been able, even from the start, let’s be right about this and no disrespect to Nuno, to attract a top manager. Nuno was brought in, what, maybe eighth, ninth, tenth choice as manager.

“That shows the unrest within the football club and the way that the club is at the moment.”

As per Calcio Napoli 24, via Sport Witness, a major Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim has emerged involving Cagliari midfielder and summer target Nahitan Nandez.

The Lowdown: Paratici eyes Nandez summer swoop…

Over the summer window, Spurs were heavily linked with a move for the Uruguay international amid the unrest surrounding Tanguy Ndombele’s future.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-updates/” title=”Spurs updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Indeed, Sky Sports even revealed an approach was made by Fabio Paratici and co to sign the Serie A midfielder with Spurs particularly attracted by his versatility.

As well as sitting in front of the back four, Nandez can operate on the right flank in both a more advanced and defensive role.

Now, with January only three months away, it appears a major update has come from Italy.

The Latest: Spurs ‘ready to close’ Nandez deal…

As per Calcio Napoli 24 (via SW), Tottenham and Paratici are ‘ready to close’ the signing of Nandez in January and it is believed that the Lilywhites can ‘complete’ a move when the window opens.

This is despite interest from Italian powerhouses Napoli and Inter Milan, who Spurs could ‘mock’ in the process of bringing the 25-year-old to N17.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Lauded as an ‘unstoppable’ player by Serie A pundit Mina Rzouki, Nandez would come as a brilliant signing for Spurs and one who could bolster Nuno Espirito Santo’s options in a number of key areas.

He also comes with some sell-on value going by his age, but as usual with Spurs, much may depend on Cagliari’s valuation.

Fabrizio Romano reported that the Serie A side value Nandez at around €25/30 million (£21.2m/£25.5m), and going by that sum, he could certainly be worth every penny.

In other news: ‘Bargain’, ‘Unreal’, ‘Perfect’…Spurs pundit wowed as Paratici eyes ‘top signing’, find out more here.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has delivered his verdict on Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa and the side’s struggles this season in the Premier League.

What’s the story?

The Whites fell to yet another disappointing defeat in the top-flight at the weekend, this time slipping to a 1-0 loss against Southampton, and Hay has now commented on some of the key issues facing the club.

He said: “The bench is incredibly young. With the exception of Forshaw, one Premier League start between them. I can understand why, despite the past three years, that still worries people. You’re looking for proven options and there are very few.

“We’ve asked him about squad depth or written about it so many times. He always has the same answer which is to say that it’s how he wants it and it’s how it’s going to be. It’s worked for him up until now but looking at that bench today, you just couldn’t see where the impact was going to come from. Fully fit there are decent options but it has to be said that this squad is rarely fully fit.

“I don’t think they’re confused. I think people can just see that it hasn’t worked in the same way so far. And because Leeds are so drilled and have such a defined way of playing, when it doesn’t work it’s going to cause concern. Because you know Bielsa will stick to his plan.”

Worrying times for Leeds

Just as much as the result, the performance is what really would have caused Leeds fans to worry about their team going forward over these next few weeks in the Premier League.

The Whites could only muster three shots on goal in the entire game against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, while they also made significantly less tackles and won fewer duels too – an all-round abject display.

As Hay touched upon, strength in depth has been a glaring problem at Elland Road under Bielsa, with the Leeds boss preferring a tight-knit squad with little room for manoeuvre if things go wrong.

The big problem for him, is that anything that could go wrong, has gone wrong for him in these early weeks of the Premier League campaign.

Whether it be injuries, illnesses or the dreaded consequences of the international break, Leeds have been without a number of key first-team players for a good period of time, including the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Patrick Bamford.

By not really strengthening the squad of the summer, and instead choosing to stick to his guns, Bielsa decided to play with fire. And everything that has come since has hardly been surprising. It’s sure to worry Leeds fans.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this La Liga starlet…

Athletic journalist George Caulkin has dropped a big Newcastle update, regarding the managerial situation at the club.

What’s the talk?

In response to a question about Paulo Fonseca on an Athletic post-match Q&A, Caulkin made it clear that PIF are yet to make a decision on Steve Bruce’s replacement. He wrote:

“I was told last night that things aren’t as advanced as that and that no formal decisions have been taken. I think there’s still a way to go in this process and more people to speak to.”

This comes after The Telegraph reported that Newcastle are ready to offer a £6m contract to the Portuguese head coach, with Caulkin playing down those claims.

Buzzing

Newcastle fans will be buzzing by this update from Caulkin as it leaves the possibility of Erik ten Hag taking over at St. James’ Park alive and kicking. Whilst Fonseca could be a solid appointment and has an impressive C.V, the Ajax boss has now emerged as a potential candidate.

The Magpies are reportedly looking to bring Marc Overmars in as director of football and he would like to bring his fellow countryman with him. However, Fonseca coming in would, obviously, rule out any chance of ten Hag coming to Tyneside, which is why this response from Caulkin could leave fans feeling rather excited.

PIF are taking their time with this decision and are prepared to play the long game, which could benefit Newcastle if they are able to attract someone of ten Hag’s talents. That is not to say the Portuguese would not be a solid manager for the club, as he averaged 1.77 points per game in charge of Roma in Serie A across 101 matches. He showed that he can manage a top club and do a respectable job.

As for the Dutchman, he has averaged 2.34 points per game whilst in charge of Ajax in the Eredivise across 180 matches, winning five trophies along the way. He has also led the club to 14 wins in 27 Champions League group stage or knockout matches, showing that he can manage a team successfully at the very top level.

Therefore, supporters will be delighted that Caulkin’s comments leave the door open for a potentially more exciting manager to arrive as Bruce’s replacement ahead of Fonseca. PIF are still looking at other candidates and, hopefully, Overmars will be brought in as the director of football and be able to bring his current employee along with him.

AND in other news, Forget Wilson: Newcastle beast with 8 clearances stole the show vs Palace…

Aston Villa’s Under-21s sealed top spot in their Papa Johns Trophy group with an impressive win over League One side MK Dons on Tuesday evening.

Villa confirmed (@AVFCOfficial) late on Tuesday evening that over 1,100 away fans were in attendance to watch the club’s young stars in action, with a number of supporters heaping praise on those who made the trip.

Manager Mark Delaney included the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Carney Chukwuemeka, Keinan Davis and Cameron Archer in his side, and it was Archer who stole the headlines once again.

He made it 12 goals for the season in all competitions with a brace, with Davis and Ramsey also getting on the scoresheet.

The win ensured they maintained their 100% record in the competition and the youngsters were able to celebrate in front of a huge following.

Villa fans react

This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply to the official away following update, with one labelling it as ‘superb’.

“Brilliant fans”

Credit: @davecave8

“Superb as always!”

Credit: @TheVillaHome

“Wow what makes it even more impressive is the away wins 100% and two were come from behind ”

Credit: @barrahunterUTV

“unreal”

Credit: @catrinavfc

“city could never”

Credit: @avfcskewwilly

“best in the land”

Credit: @tiwari0216

In other news: ‘The best’ – Many AVFC fans go wild as Fabrizio Romano shares ‘official’ Villa news.