Leeds United officials spotted in New York ahead of potential Valentin Castellanos transfer

[Scoobychief]

Any truth in this ?? we seem to be linked with all american players. Ben Mee is available on a FREE.

[rooted]

Mee is a defender; Castellanos is a forward - not sure I see how the one would impact the other even if it is true that’s the reason they were/are in NY

[John in Louisiana]

Castellanos is not an American, he's from Argentina. Frankly I don't care where he's from as long as he can help improve the team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI9f0X0zDpg

Check out the strike at the 4:10 mark of the video. Pretty impressive. He knows how to put the ball in the net.

[weasel]

An initial concern is that half the goals in his highlight reel are penalties, including 1 poorly taken penalty that the keeper should have saved. Further goals include a deflection from a shot that wasnt going in and a complte mishit. I don't see anything to get excited about from the highlights - reasonably ood hit around the 4.10 mark though,

[BlackHillsPaul]

An initial concern is that half the goals in his highlight reel are penalties, including 1 poorly taken penalty that the keeper should have saved. Further goals include a deflection from a shot that wasnt going in and a complte mishit. I don't see anything to get excited about from the highlights - reasonably ood hit around the 4.10 mark though,

I appreciate your concern with regard the number of penalties. But the headed goals, chipping the keeper, tidy finishes when one on one with the keeper. And 34 goals in his last 54 matches. Just move along nothing to see here??? Not sure I agree with that.

In Castallanos we would be getting an Argentinian Striker for around $16M that is already acclimated to an English speaking country. And used to the Big City lights of NYC. I see some value in that as well in terms of bedding him in.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I read that story on Leeds Live today. It's a loose link. Leeds directors were spotted in a steakhouse in New York.

His record doesn't look that exceptional. An Argentinian still playing MLS at age of 23. And only 6 U-23 caps.

[SG90]

Wouldn't Man City just "buy" him anyway and then flog for twice the price?

[rooted]

An initial concern is that half the goals in his highlight reel are penalties, including 1 poorly taken penalty that the keeper should have saved. Further goals include a deflection from a shot that wasnt going in and a complte mishit. I don't see anything to get excited about from the highlights - reasonably ood hit around the 4.10 mark though,

FBref credits him with 38 non-penalty goals for career vs 9 penalties https://fbref.com/en/players/da76bab4/V ... astellanos though you are not first to comment on the nature of his goals: “ “I’ve said this in the past: every goal that Taty Castellanos has ever scored feels like an accident to me," Doyle said. "He has this Gyasi \[Zardes\] thing where the ball is ricocheting off of him and he’s falling down and he’s the last guy to get a toe-poke” (https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/nycfc-s- ... astellanos; worth mentioning this comment was made during a dry spell about a year ago…Castellanos then scored another 15 goals in regular season plus 3 in playoffs en route to winning championship,sooo…)

Scoring aside, he is reputed as a pressing forward, which may suit JM’s style of play

[Lumiukko]

I have access to ESPN on demand so I've put it on myself to watch a few NYC FC games whilst working and see what he's like. I've started this morning with the 6-0 win against Real Salt Lake where Castellanos (Taty) scored 4 goals. So far he's scored 1 penalty and 1 headed goal (the header was well taken) and his movement and close control has been good. Also draws a few fouls too. One swallow doesn't make a summer of course so will see what he's like in a few games. That said, his name is often mentioned by the commentators, which means if nothing else, he's involved in the game.

[Cjay]

Wouldn't be my first choice or second or even third.

But he does show good movement, link play and some tidy finishes in those highlights.

What I do like is that all sorts of goals there. Headers, tap ins, 1v1s, freekicks and penalties.

He loves a rabona to and a few paneka penalties.

You could see him being quite popular with the fans tbf.

Fans love that sort of thing.

Obviously questions would be asked about his ability to do it at the top level.

But clearly has some talent.

Not sure how he would qualify for a work permit however?

[BlackHillsPaul]

Wouldn't be my first choice or second or even third.

But he does show good movement, link play and some tidy finishes in those highlights.

What I do like is that all sorts of goals there. Headers, tap ins, 1v1s, freekicks and penalties.

He loves a rabona to and a few paneka penalties.

You could see him being quite popular with the fans tbf.

Fans love that sort of thing.

Obviously questions would be asked about his ability to do it at the top level.

But clearly has some talent.

Not sure how he would qualify for a work permit however?

The questions are legit. But Brenden Aaronson was playing in that league 19 months ago so....

If Taty Castallanos had a USA passport he would be the starting #9 for us at the World Cup playing against England later this year. I would bet my house on that.

[Lumiukko]

Definitely questions on his ability to step-up to PL level after watching the game from my previous post. Two of his goals were penalties, both well struck but the keeper nearly did save the second), a deflected goal, and a header. Doesn't tell me too much, but then again out of his England goals, how many of Harry Kane's are penalties?

Cjay and BHPaul are both very even-handed with their assessments and I would say he is worth the risk if the fee is right. I would say 15mill at a maximum would be the right fee, anything above is too much of a risk.

[weasel]

The questions are legit. But Brenden Aaronson was playing in that league 19 months ago so....

If Taty Castallanos had a USA passport he would be the starting #9 for us at the World Cup playing against England later this year. I would bet my house on that.

And we are still to find out whether Aaronson can do it at premiership level.

It would be a concern if we flood the team with a lot of players who haven't played in a top level league. RB get away with it because they take a lot of promising players to play in Austria rather than straight to Leipzig. As such the players they blood are playing in a fairly low standard league wise.

Same with any player though if he signs he will get my full support and I hope he does amazing for us.

In regards to my earlier comment about the video it seemed strange to include so many penalties, especially one that weas poorly taken and went under the keeper who should have saved it. Maybe show a couple of penalties but make the main focus the other goals. To include so many penalties in an 8 minute clip which also featured 1 mishit shot going in, 1 shot deflected in that was unlikely to have been a goal otherwise and a bit of 'skill' which saw him run the ball out of play set alarm bells ringing as to why those made it into a highligh package. Did he not have any better goals to fill the 8 minutes?

[Lumiukko]

And we are still to find out whether Aaronson can do it at premiership level.

True, but Aaronson is already doing very well in a Senior National Team at the age of 21 and has both a huge engine on him and massive room to grow as a player, so I have little doubt he can make the leap up to PL level. Even though Concacaf football is not at the level of Uefa or Conmebol; after watching him a few times at national level and in the champions league, he does not look out of place.

As for Taty, the jury is still out on him but as a cheap back-up striker he might be worth a punt. I like everyone would like to see a proven and established striker come in, but we're not going to get a Haaland or a Kane, and whilst technically good, Adams or Minimino do not exactly fill me full of excitement either.

[BlackHillsPaul]

And we are still to find out whether Aaronson can do it at premiership level.

It would be a concern if we flood the team with a lot of players who haven't played in a top level league. RB get away with it because they take a lot of promising players to play in Austria rather than straight to Leipzig. As such the players they blood are playing in a fairly low standard league wise.

Same with any player though if he signs he will get my full support and I hope he does amazing for us.

In regards to my earlier comment about the video it seemed strange to include so many penalties, especially one that weas poorly taken and went under the keeper who should have saved it. Maybe show a couple of penalties but make the main focus the other goals. To include so many penalties in an 8 minute clip which also featured 1 mishit shot going in, 1 shot deflected in that was unlikely to have been a goal otherwise and a bit of 'skill' which saw him run the ball out of play set alarm bells ringing as to why those made it into a highligh package. Did he not have any better goals to fill the 8 minutes?

I agree with all of this Weasel. There is always risk when bringing in a player from a lower standard league. But I do think that I can offer a little bit more knowledge of the player and league than most people here. And when I say that I would bet my house that he would be the USA starting #9 at the World Cup that is not something I say lightly. It comes from a position of first hand knowledge. And if you haven't figured it out, the USA is not a bad team. In fact, England have NEVER beaten us in an official match. So I offer this only as food for thought. We would need to buy him at the right price. And we would need to manage our expectations and allow him time to to get acclimated to the squad.

Having said all of this. If there are other options that are better I'm all for it. Sign them up....

[Kennyb41]

More jungle drums being beaten on clickbait.

Leeds United are reportedly leading the chase to sign New York City FC striker Valentin Castellanos after Manchester City passed up on an option to sign the Argentina U23 international.

Castellanos is one of the most sought-after players in Major League Soccer, earning rave reviews for his performances. The Argentine also won the Golden Boot last season, scoring 22 times in 35 appearances as NYCFC claimed MLS Cup glory.

The striker has also no signs of letting up this season either. He already has 11 goals in 18 appearances to his name, increasingly speculation that his time in America could soon come to an end.

That form has, understandably, brought him to the attention of several Premier League sides. To that end, Newcastle, West Ham and Everton are all being credited with a summer approach.

90min, though, claims that Castellanos has been offered to Manchester City, with NYCFC part of the same parent company, the City Group.

However, City are reported to have passed up on the chance to bring in the striker. Having already agreed a deal for Julian Alvarez, the Cityzens have also struck a deal to sign Erling Haaland.

And with Gabriel Jesus also on their books, City clearly do not have room to accommodate another striker.

As such, Leeds United could be the chief beneficiaries with the report claiming they are ready to make their move.

Valentin Castellanos deal could move quickly
They claim the Whites currently have representatives in the United States to assess the qualities of another American player.

And it’s suggested Leeds may soon launch a bid for Castellanos to beat their rivals to the punch. A new striker is very much in their thinking as they look to address one of Jesse Marsch’s main priorities.

Indeed, having missed Patrick Bamford through the majority of the 2021/22season, Marsch needs to add to his attacking options.

United were forced to play Dan James up front on several occasions through the campaign. However, he lacked an obvious presence and know-how up front as the Whites dodged relegation by a whisker. To illustrate his struggles, Wales winger James finished the season with just four goals to his name.

However, the capture of Castellanos would offer Leeds the cover they lack for Bamford.

Their failure to add a new striker to their mix in January raised some serious questions among supporters. And while they hope Bamford will be fully fit by the time the 2022/23 season begins, the club do need cover and competition in attack.

As such – and if the price is right – Castellanos could prove a decent addition.

The striker has proven he has an excellent eye for goal in Major League Soccer. Indeed, he boasts an overall record of 53 goals in 126 games for NYCFC.

Raphinha, meanwhile, continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona, though doubts are now emerging if they will be able to finance his move at all with Leeds standing firm on his valuation.

[Cjay]

The questions are legit. But Brenden Aaronson was playing in that league 19 months ago so....

If Taty Castallanos had a USA passport he would be the starting #9 for us at the World Cup playing against England later this year. I would bet my house on that.

And Brenden is still unproven on a week by week basis in a top football league.

I hope your faith is right I really do.

My main concern is that Taty Castellanos has been scoring goals in a league where none of the golden Boot winners previously have gone on to succeed in a top European League.

Diego Rossi went to Fenerbahce in Turkey and has done well but again that is a step down in the levels of European football.

Carlos Vela scored goals for fun in MLS in recent times (far more than Castellanos). Had a decent spell in La Liga for a few seasons (never scored 20 goals) but managed double figures a few times before that dried up. Absolute goal machine in MLS.

Josef Martinez didn't pull up any trees in Switzerland or Serie A but scored for fun in MLS again at a far better rate than Taty.

Mentioned Bradley Wright Phillips before and even the famous Landon Donovan tried to succeed in Europe and failed.

It isnt to say MLS players can't succeed in Europe (McBride and Dempsey did well).

But scoring goals in the MLS has very rarely transfered over to the Premier League or other top European Leagues for the top MLS scorers like Martinez and Vela who scored at a far greater rate than Castellanos has.

Hopefully if he comes ans you are right and he proves a successful signing.

He certainly has qualities in that clip that provide hope for optimism.

But history is definitely against him and recent history at that.

With Bamford suffering the type of injury he has we know that it is very difficult to recover from and often comes back.

I myself have had it and years later you get flare ups which make it hard to walk.

So that makes Bamford unreliable and means our striker signing this summer could easily become our main striker with Gelhardt.

Would you he confident Castellanos could score the minimum 10-15goals required from that role?

[DDB220]

I do not think we can really afford to be speculating this season. We may end up losing one if not 2 key players. Buying promise is fine when you have a solidified line up and a decent bench, we are a still struggling with the line up.
I would look at Dennis, he was doing well in a very poor Watford team and achieved double figures last season. Considering they had effectively given up by March he has done well. Buying from the MLS as a potential back up is not sensible right now for Leeds.

[hector]

Maybe there is not a lot of choice where we buy from.....


Maybe the A in LUAFC is going to stand for American.......

Leeds United American Football Club...

Who knows??

just askin like

[whiteswan]

Maybe there is not a lot of choice where we buy from.....


Maybe the A in LUAFC is going to stand for American.......

Leeds United American Football Club...

Who knows??

just askin like

Don't even go there!!!!