While Leeds United may have gotten back to winning ways against Southampton last time out, Marcelo Bielsa must consider unleashing Helder Costa when Aston Villa make the trip to Elland Road on late Saturday afternoon.

The Whites ran out 3-0 winners over the Saints in the Premier League, but the scores were locked level at 0-0 before a second-half salvo knocked the wind out of the home side’s sails.

And one man who was instrumental in changing the complexion of that game, was Costa.

The £10.8m-rated star has been on the periphery of things in the Premier League this season, after initially starting the first eight games of the campaign. Since then, both Jack Harrison and Raphinha have nailed down the starting wide positions, with the 27-year-old Costa left looking in from the outside.

But after coming on at the break for Harrison against Arsenal, the exciting winger has shown flashes of being back to his best. He delivered an emphatic finish at the Emirates to pull one back against the Gunners as Leeds tried to mount a second-half fight-back, while he was equally impressive against the Saints, this time picking up an assist after again coming on for the same player.

Against Southampton, he attempted more dribbles, provided more key passes and won more duels than Harrison, while his quick feet and trickery also saw him earn four free-kicks for his side – the joint-most of any player on the day.

Speaking earlier this season, his former manager at Wolves, Nuno Espirito Santo, waxed lyrical about his fellow Portuguese man, saying: “When we arrived in the Championship, Helder was injured. They were major injuries and it took a lot of time for him to recover. So that season was not the best for him, but in the first season we were in the Premier League, Helder was immense and had a huge impact on the team.

“He’s a very talented player, but things happen naturally, players move from here to another place. It happens in football. Honestly, I’m delighted he’s showing his quality and enjoying his football.”

With his long-term future up in the air, Costa doesn’t appear too much time to really stamp his mark on Leeds and prove to Bielsa that he deserves to remain at Elland Road.

But given his recent performances from off the bench, he’s absolutely deserving of a rare start when Aston Villa come to town on Saturday afternoon. He could well be the Leeds boss’ game-changer if given the opportunity.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo sofreu mais uma vez, mas outra vez se salvou nos minutos finais e conseguiu vencer o Oeste, por 2 a 1, no Morumbi. Ganso se destacou em noite de vários desempenhos ruins do time. Confira as notas do LANCE!:

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SÃO PAULO

5,0
Denis
Na única bola que chegou com perigo, levou o gol e não teve como evitar. Por pouco não protagonizou falha bizarra.

5,0
Bruno
Tentou uma jogada ou outra no ataque, chegando para tabelar, mas o gol do Oeste saiu pelo seu lado.

6,0
Maicon
Fez de tudo na partida, foi mal no gol adversário, perdeu pênalti e acabou fazendo o gol da vitória do Tricolor.

5,5
Rodrigo Caio
Se salva entre os defensores por estar sempre ligado e ainda consegue ter boa saída de bola. Mesmo assim, sem brilho.

4,0
Mena
Perdeu boa chance de marcar um gol e na defesa foi muito mal. Falhou feio na marcação no tento do Oeste.

6,0
Hudson
Ficou mais preso na marcação enquanto seu companheiro, no segundo tempo saiu mais e marcou um gol, sem querer.

5,5
Thiago Mendes
Foi bem ao fazer a primeira marcação no campo do adversário e retomou bolas importantes, mas ficou nisso.

5,5
Michel Bastos
Não fez partida ruim, teve boa movimentação, buscou o jogo, no entanto não conseguiu fazer a diferença.

4,5
Daniel
Apagado, praticamente não apareceu para o jogo. Errou passes, cruzamentos e ficou devendo. Saiu no intervalo.

6,5
PH Ganso
Comparado com seus colegas, parece jogar outro esporte. Colocou seus companheiros sempre em boas condições.

6,0
Calleri
Como sempre, brigou muito com os defensores adversários, tentou encontrar seus espaços e até cavou um pênalti.

5,0
Kelvin
Entrou no intervalo e errou muito mais do que acertou, incluindo coisas simples como domínio de bola.

5,5
Mateus Caramelo
Substituiu Bruno e aparentava dar mais volume de jogo ao ataque, no entanto caiu no mesmo marasmo do time.

6,0
Lucas Fernandes
Parece cavar um espaço na equipe titular. Outra vez entrou e deu um toque diferente. Com personalidade, arriscou.

5,5
Téc: Edgardo Bauza
Mais uma partida sonolenta e sem apresentar evolução. Time parece desligado do jogo em alguns momentos.

OESTE

6,5
Leandro Santos
Pegou pênalti, mesmo zonzo após pancada na cabeça.

4,5
Léo Príncipe
Falhou na marcação de Mena no gol da virada do São Paulo.

4,5
Brinner
Deu alguns sustos na zaga não aproveitados pelo adversário.

5,0
M. Salustiano
Passou sufoco, mas menos que seu companheiro.

6,0
Fernandinho
Deu a assistência que originou o gol no primeiro tempo.

5,5
G. Amorim
Volante de marcação, preocupou-se apenas em destruir.

6,0
Leandro Mello
Comandou bem o meio-campo defensivo de seu time.

5,0
Elivelton
Firme na marcação, acabou abusando das faltas.

4,5
Mazinho
Quase não apareceu no jogo. Time sentiu falta de sua velocidade.

6,0
Cristiano
Marcou o gol na única oportunidade que teve para isso.

5,0
Maurinho
Correu, correu e correu. Pouco objetivo em suas participações.

4,5
Dionísio
Abusou dos passes errados e não foi páreo para conter o São Paulo.

4,5
Renan Mota
Outro que não deu motivos para ter entrado. Foi muito mal.

5,0
Ricardo Bueno
Esforçado, brigou sozinho no ataque depois que entrou.

5,5
Téc: Serjão
Apesar da situação, montou bem o time para enfrentar um dos grandes.

حقق محمد صلاح نجم فريق ليفربول رقمًا قياسيًا جديدًا بعدما سجل هدفًا في مباراة اليوم أمام تشيلسي، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وحل ليفربول ضيفًا على تشيلسي في ستامفورد بريدج في إطار منافسات الجولة الحادية والعشرين من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث تعادلا بهدفين لمثليهما.

وتمكن محمد صلاح من تسجيل الهدف الثاني للضيوف في الدقيقة 26 بطريقة أكثر من رائعة. هدف محمد صلاح الرائع أمام تشيلسي

وأصبح محمد صلاح، بذلك الهدف، الهداف التاريخي لفريق ليفربول في ملاعب العاصمة الإنجليزية لندن، في الدوري الإنجليزي، بعدما سجل 14 هدفًا حسب شبكة “سكواكا” العالمية.

وتجاوز محمد صلاح بذلك رصيد النجم السابق لفريق ليفربول، ستيفن جيرارد، الذي سجل 13 هدفًا في تلك الملاعب.

When a new Astroturf pitch was built at Wolves’ Compton Academy in 2019, it didn’t mean a great deal, certainly at first glance.

Though, the money that financed such a development came courtesy of the undisclosed fee paid for a Portuguese player at Wolves.

You can take your pick from the plethora of Iberian stars plying their trade at Molineux but this was one who’d made just a solitary appearance for the first-team; a man who replaced Elliot Watt in a Carabao Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday.

It’s fair to say that none of this can be counted as a landmark moment. Yet in the process of selling the Portuguese sensation, Wolves have arguably made a mistake.

The man in question, of course, is Pedro Goncalves. He was a star for the U23 team that won Premier League 2 and under Rob Edwards’ stewardship, was “outstanding” in the words of the Wolves coach.

Clearly, he wasn’t good enough at that time to earn a better deal in the Midlands. He departed for Famalicao and then joined Sporting Lisbon last summer.

Since then, he’s been dubbed the new Bruno Fernandes and has now been linked with a £50m move to none other than Liverpool. This is a classic tale of transfer woe for Wolves. They have let a diamond slip through the net and judging by their performances this season, they should regret it.

Losing Diogo Jota to Liverpool last summer was far from ideal, but in Pedro Neto they have someone capable of replacing him. They don’t, however, have someone capable of succeeding Goncalves. The attacking midfielder, who can also play on the right, has scored 14 goals in just 18 league appearances this season.

He is a mesmerising footballer but to Edwards, this will come as no surprise. The 22-year-old usurps plenty of Wolves players this season, no less than in the goals department.

Goncalves has registered more shots per game (2.7) than anyone at Molineux while his 1.6 key passes a match is only bettered by the aforementioned Neto.

On the face of it, Wolves will live to regret this decision. Selling him in 2019 didn’t seem like a bad idea but his development from that moment onwards has been astonishing.

If they can take any solace from the deal, it’s that they’ll take up 20% of whatever fee Sporting receive for his services.  That means they’d take a cool £10m. Not bad business at all from a financial point of view.

AND in other news, Wolves could have their next Boly in rarely-seen 22 y/o who’s “physically strong”…

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that he’s been left bamboozled by Chris Wilder’s departure from Sheffield United.

Following almost two days of uncertainty, Wilder was finally relieved of his duties at Bramall Lane on Saturday evening, less than 24 hours before the Blades were thrashed by Leicester City.

Having guided Sheffield United from mid-table in League One to their highest Premier League finish last season, Wilder’s sacking came as a major surprise to the footballing world, despite United sitting rock-bottom of the table and on course to be relegated.

Under-23s manager, Paul Heckingbottom, has been placed in temporary charge for the remainder of the campaign, but Windass believes that Wilder would have been the best man to take Sheffield United back into the topflight.

He exclusively told Football FanCast:

“I don’t see any sense in it if I’m being quite honest with you. I don’t get the logic behind it. Yes Sheffield United will go down even if Jose Mourinho or Alex Ferguson would have got the job, but nothing is going to change. I don’t understand it, unless there has been a massive row. There have been rumours of conflict between him and the hierarchy.

“The question on everybody’s lips is can Sheffield United get straight back to the Premier League?

“With Chris Wilder you would have said ‘yes’, I’m not saying no about Paul Heckingbottom or whoever gets the job, but more so with Chris, because the players knew him, he’s a local lad, he loves the club like me with Hull City, so it just doesn’t make any sense.”

And Wilder’s absence was quickly felt following Sheffield United’s 5-0 defeat at Leicester, which was their heaviest since their promotion back to the Premier League, and first time they conceded five in a league match for more than three years.

Sunderland fans are absolutely delighted after it was revealed the club’s CEO James Rodwell has decided to step down from his role at the club.

It has been a busy few days for the Sunderland. On Thursday, it was finally confirmed that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus had completed his takeover of the Black Cats from former owner Stewart Donald – the latter still retains a minority stake in the club (Sky Sports). The former regime was extremely unpopular amongst the supporters (Chronicle Live), so there is no doubt the change in ownership will have delighted the fans.

Things are changing fast, it seems, with Rodwell now leaving the club. Given his ties to Donald, it is no surprise to see the fans are enjoying the news of his exit.

The update was shared on the club’s official Twitter account, and the fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Rodwell below

“should have happened ages ago. What a disaster”

Credit: @Rokermark30

“The week that keeps giving #safc”

Credit: @AticaSi

“Good riddance”

Credit: @anorthernbullet

“Couldn’t run a raffle”

Credit: @nricho68

“What a start to Friday. More deadwood out the door”

Credit: @al_smith11

“Bain mark 2 gone”

Credit: @2ndoneout

In other news, Sunderland fans hammer this man against Lincoln City.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has laid into Diego Llorente, picking out one particular ‘terrible’ incident against West Ham.

The Whites were beaten 2-0 at the London Stadium on Monday evening, as their Premier League season threatens to peter out a little.

It’s now four defeats in the last five league outings for Marcelo Bielsa’s men, who are 11th in the table ahead of Saturday’s visit of Chelsea.

Llorente comes in for criticism from Whelan

Someone who had a bad night at the office against the Hammers was Llorente, with the centre-back at fault for Craig Dawson’s goal.

The Spaniard joined Leeds from Real Sociedad back in September, but has made just four starts in the league to date, struggling badly with injuries.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan didn’t hold back in his criticism of Llorente, saying much more is needed from a player with so much experience:

“You are looking at a centre-half who is a Spanish international.  You have to do your homework beforehand. I knew that Dawson was their most dangerous, aggressive player from set pieces. In the second-half Bielsa rectified that mistake because he made Liam Cooper mark him instead.

“When you look at Dawson’s goal, it’s terrible defending. It’s weak and too easy. You do not expect that from a Spanish centre-half.

“He gave Dawson so much room and freedom inside the penalty area. You cannot do that. It was a free header at the far post.

“We have been like this all season. Set pieces have once again been our achilles heel.”

Transfer Tavern take

In fairness to Llorente, his aforementioned fitness woes have made it difficult for him to settle at Elland Road, so Whelan’s judgment is slightly harsh.

The 27-year-old’s pedigree is undeniable, with six caps to his name for Spain, and he likely just needs a run in the team in order to find his feet.

He will though be forced to defend better when the Whites square off with a red-hot Chelsea side or things could turn ugly.

In other news, Patrick Bamford revealed his feelings towards divisive referee Mike Dean!

Newcastle United have landed a huge boost ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion as Elliot Anderson is expected to be fit.

That’s according to The Shields Gazette, who note that the 18-year-old has recovered from an ankle injury sustained during an Under 23s clash with the Baggies’ academy last week.

The blow prevented Anderson from playing any role in Steve Bruce’s plans as the Magpies drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, along with representing Chris Hogg’s junior side as they lost 2-1 at home to Reading on Monday.

Anderson is now expected to be one of the contenders to replace Miguel Almiron at the Hawthorns on Sunday, after Bruce lost his Paraguayan playmaker due to a knee injury as one of three casualties against Wolves.

Allan Saint-Maximin sustained a groin issue during the draw, and will now join top-scorer Callum Wilson on the sidelines after the French wing wizard was ruled out until April.

Emil Krafth was also forced off with a shin injury on Saturday, but he is due to resume training ahead of facing West Brom in a crunch encounter between two relegation-threatened sides.

Having Anderson available as well will come as a huge boost for Bruce, with the academy product expected to be in the mix to replace Almiron beside the likes of Ryan Fraser, Jacob Murphy and Jeff Hendrick.

Bruce awarded Anderson his senior Newcastle debut away to Arsenal in the second half of January’s FA Cup tie, before introducing the 18-year-old to the Premier League for the final three minutes at the Emirates Stadium nine days later.

The North Shields-born prospect is yet to feature for the Toon first-team since facing the Gunners, but has seven goals and one assist in nine U23s outings after finding the back of the net against West Brom in a 3-2 PL2 win last week.

Bruce described Anderson’s debut at Arsenal as a “big positive” as the attacking midfielder’s performance instilled a sense of confidence in the United head coach.

“Big positive. I thought the kid was very, very good. He’s been with us, knocking on the door, for a while now, so it was good to see him making his way. He’s got a big future ahead of him, hopefully,” Bruce noted after the Emirates Stadium affair.

Anderson has been named as an unused substitute on three occasions since facing Arsenal, but the Scotland U19 international does not want to settle for a seat on the bench.

“I’ve played twice, come on but I want to be playing more, even if you’re playing a lot you want to be playing more,” he told NUFC TV. “As a footballer, you need to keep pushing and pushing, so I’ll continue to work hard and take my chances.

“Making my debut at the Emirates was massive but it wouldn’t be the same feeling making it at St. James’, so I’m waiting for that to come – the day that happens it will probably be the best day of my life, hopefully with the fans back. I can’t wait.”

Sunday’s clash with West Brom may not be at home so Anderson would have to wait for his St. James’ Park bow, but Bruce should see it as a boost having the Newcastle talent back fit, even if he doesn’t want to start the youngster, he could be a more than useful option coming off the bench.

AND in other news, an “absolutely awesome” titan has been tipped to quit Newcastle this summer…

Carlo Ancelotti can overlook Tariq Lamptey’s height being a potential flaw preventing the Brighton and Hove Albion defender from joining Everton this summer.

What’s the word?

According to the Liverpool Echo, Lamptey is one of several right-backs that the Blues are assessing ahead of a potential investment in the position during the next off-season.

The Toffees are keen to secure the services of a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman, but feel there is a lack of available targets who fit the desired criteria set out by Ancelotti.

Height is one factor the Italian tactician has placed a great emphasis on, with the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss keen to sign a tall option having named a back four of 6 ft plus quartet Mason Holgate, Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey at times this season.

Everton consider Lamptey to be a ‘great talent’ but his 5 ft 5 stature could prove to be a stumbling block, while versatility is another aspect important to Ancelotti.

Max Aarons is another option but Ancelotti is yet to cast his final judgment over the Norwich City star, who Bayern Munich are no longer thought to be pursuing after the Canaries slapped a £30-35m asking price on the England U21 international.

Zeki Celik is no longer seen to be a target of the Goodison Park outfit despite talks over a move taking place during the recent winter market, while Jonjoe Kenny is expected to be sold at the end of the season.

Should Everton sign Lamptey?

Like a pursuit of Aarons from Norwich, Lamptey would set Everton back a large sum with the Liverpool Echo adding that Brighton are likely to demand in the region of £30m for the Chelsea flop they signed for only £4m in January 2020 that could rise to just £6m.

Ancelotti’s preference to sign a taller option will no doubt cause problems for Lamptey, too, but the Italian can overlook that factor and still consider a deal for the £40,000-per-week 20-year-old.

Brighton boss Graham Potter finds it “exciting” how Lamptey has settled at the Amex Stadium after failing to make the grade at Stamford Bridge, and now having the chance to watch as the London-born full-back continues his development in the Seagulls first-team.

“If you speak to Tariq, I think he will say he has every area of his game he can improve. And that’s not to say he’s not doing really, really well,” Potter said, via quotes by Sky Sports. “I think he has got that mentality that he wants to improve, he wants to get better. He has got that ambition.”

Lamptey also has “unbelievably quick” speed and the ability to influence games, with an average of 0.5 shots and 0.9 key passes per game in the Premier League this season, per WhoScored, before being sidelined for the past two months with a hamstring injury.

Coleman averages 0.5 key balls a game when fielded at right-back to Holgate’s 0.3 in the position, while the pair also record a respective 0.5 and 0.3 shots.

Potter believes Lamptey is close to a return, at which point he can further prove Ancelotti’s concerns over his height are nothing to worry about.

While a diminutive figure at 5 ft 5, Lamptey contests 1.5 aerial duels a game and wins 33% of his challenges, comparable to both Coleman – who wins 0.7 of 1.4 (50%) – and Holgate – who wins 0.8 of 2.1 (38%).

If Lamptey were to increase his involvement in aerial challenges upon his return, he would likely only further show Ancelotti that his concerns are misplaced and justify Everton splashing out to land his services this summer.

AND in other news, Everton are likely to sell a £6.5m-rated dud this summer after pricing him out of a January move…

Leeds United have identified a potential summer signing in Ivan Toney but face competition to acquire the player if they do make a serious offer.

The latest on Toney

According to TEAMtalk, Brentford are ready to slap a £30m asking price on star striker Ivan Toney, with Arsenal, Leeds and West Ham all keen.

The 24-year-old joined the Bees last summer in a deal worth just over £5m from League One Peterborough to replace Ollie Watkins, who has shone in his first campaign in the Premier League.

This would be a great coup for Leeds

The Englishman has truly set the Championship alight, playing 33 times in the division and scoring 25 goals whilst also picking up nine assists along the way (WhoScored). His stats show how much of an attacking threat he poses as he has averages 2.8 shots and 1.1 key passes per game in 2020/21.

Toney, who was once hailed as a “gem” by his former Peterborough manager Steve Evans, looks like he will break the 30-goal mark this season; and despite him having a large price tag in £30m, it feels like he is worth that type of money.

He is still young and should have the scope to grow into an even better forward when he reaches his prime. That other clubs in the Premier League are also interested in him highlights his quality, and this could be a huge signing for Leeds to work alongside the in-form Patrick Bamford.

In other news, Danny Mills fumes at this Leeds player’s agent!