Fabrizio Ravanelli disagrees with Douglas Costa’s supersub role at Juventus, telling TuttoJuve that the reported Newcastle United target deserves to be handed a chance in the starting XI.
With his explosive pace and mind-boggling trickery, the sight of this brilliant Brazilian warming up with 70 minutes on the clock must strike fear into the heart of full-backs all across Serie A.
Costa has started just six league games all season but has come off the bench in each of the last seven matches, making vital contributions against Lecce, Genoa and Torino.
Though, considering that this is a £35 million former Bayern Munich superstar we’re talking about, it seems only a matter of time before the two-time Bundesliga champion grows a little tired of life on the sidelines.
TuttoJuve reported in May that Newcastle would love to offer Costa a fresh start in England if, or when, that Saudi takeover is finally given the green light.
And former Middlesbrough hero Ravanelli certainly knows a thing or two about bringing joy to a football-mad region starved of any tangible success.
“I would like to see him play from the start, such a player must have more continuity even if it is never easy to see the best of him with only twenty minutes in his legs,” Ravanelli says of Costa.
“A strong boy like him, he needs trust and to be pampered. In my opinion he is very, very important – in this last part of the season he could be Juventus’ best weapon.
“But it will depend on his behaviour and how he trains, it is not just a matter of technical qualities.”
Sarri might not fully appreciate this old-school throwback of a wing wizard but, if it is love and trust Costa wants, then there are few better places for him than St James’ Park.
As Hatem Ben Arfa, Allan Saint-Maximin, David Ginola and more will tell you, Magpies fans love a maverick with a penchant for the spectacular.
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