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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

It’s likely that when Helder Costa walked through the doors of Elland Road in the summer eyebrows would have been raised.

His loan switch can become permanent for a total of £15m next summer, a considerable fee if you bear in mind this is the Championship we’re talking about.

Finding himself involved in 29 goals in just two seasons in the second tier of English football for Wolves, this was an impressive move from the Whites, but their reluctance to so far start him in the league is a puzzling decision.

A host of Leeds fans were calling for his inclusion after beating Barnsley last week while the same was said after their defeat versus Swansea.

Yet, are the worries entirely vindicated? Arguably not.

On the chalkboard

Costa hasn’t been afforded a starting berth in the league yet but has looked impressive in spells.

He’s assisted Eddie Nketiah for multiple strikes already whilst his willing running, performing one dribble a game despite a lack of minutes, shows what he’s capable of.

Comments made by Angus Kinnear this week on the Talking Shutt Podcast gives some insight into the plans they have for the Portuguese but also what he can bring to the side.

“Helder has the potential to be one of the best players in the division. He’s a player we believe has a Premier League future as well,” Kinnear said.

With that in mind, there is a clear long-term plan in place for Costa, one that doesn’t purely revolve around one season and therefore, a degree of patience needs to be considered with his selection and concerns should be dropped.

Kinnear also noted: “He’s the type of player who perhaps in those games where we’re struggling to make the breakthrough, even though we’ve got all of the possession, he’s the type of player who can make that breakthrough.”

This is one of the biggest reasons why Marcelo Bielsa has perhaps got things right so far. He has been having a devastating impact from the bench and for the time being, that is what Leeds have been utilising to their advantage.

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Nketiah has scored twice in the Championship when used as a substitute while Costa has an assist and also won the free-kick Leeds scored from at Oakwell when he came on.

There have been a variety of games where Leeds have struggled, particularly against Brentford when they didn’t score until the final ten minutes, but the fresh legs of the Wolves loanee have allowed them to get on the front foot when the opposition is tired.

It may be that utilising him when the game is more open and stretched is the best way forward.

After all, as Kinnear states, Costa can be the man to make a breakthrough when it hasn’t previously been possible. He has a better chance of doing this in the dying embers.

Chelsea’s season has been quite the ride already, with the Blues starting the season like a house on fire, before petering out somewhat in recent times.

However, last weekend’s demolition of Huddersfield should have gone someway to improving things at Stamford Bridge.

Manager Mauro Sarri has already come under some pressure for the job he is doing, but the Italian will be hoping to see out the season and cement a Champions League spot, while he also has the chance of winning a trophy with the League Cup up for grabs in a one match shootout with Man City.

The summer is bound to be an interesting one too at the Bridge, and with January passing with little to shout home about other than the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain, it will be interesting to see if Chelsea can keep hold of star players like Eden Hazard and Willian.

It is however, the ability to keep the Brazilian that we think should be a priority for the Blues, with the 30-year-old a more important piece to the jigsaw than some might think in London.

Willian is integral at times to Chelsea and how they play, and while he might not always be the first name on the team sheet, he generally delivers when it matters.

There is not just his ability to take into account either, with his experience something which will be vital for the Blues if they are indeed to challenge for top honours in the coming seasons.

While all eyes will be on the future of Eden Hazard, Willian remains arguably just as important, and it’s vital in our opinion that Chelsea keep hold of the tricky Brazilian star.

Chelsea fans, what do you think? Will Willian go or will he be kept on? Let us know in the comments!

Crystal Palace have received a potential injury boost ahead of their Premier League encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers after it was revealed that star midfielder Eberechi Eze may be fit enough to take a place on the substitute’s bench.

What’s the word?

The highly-rated 23-year-old has been sidelined with an Achilles problem since May and is yet to feature for Patrick Vieira’s new-look side this season.

However, Eze made his comeback for Palace’s U23’s on Monday night, playing 62 minutes as the youth side lost 2-1 to Blackburn Rovers.

It was initially believed that the youngster wouldn’t be included in Vieira’s matchday squad until after the upcoming international break, but now, according to The Sun, he could be available over the weekend.

The report states that: “And now SunSport understands the playmaker has a chance of being on the bench for Saturday’s hosting of Wolves.

“If he does and makes an appearance as a substitute, Eze would play in front of fans at Crystal Palace for the first time since joining from QPR for £16million in August 2020.”

Patrick Vieira will be delighted

After his successful outing for Shaun Derry’s U23s, Eze expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing in front of Palace supporters for the first time, stating he ‘cannot wait’ to entertain the capital club’s fanbase.

“That’s going to be a beautiful feeling.  Stepping out and feeling the atmosphere, hearing the fans, entertaining them. That’s all I want to do, and I honestly cannot wait for the day,” he said.

And news that Eze could make his return to the first-team squad for the visit of Wolves will leave Vieira feeling absolutely delighted.

The Selhurst Park outfit have made a strong start to life under their new manager, but having one of their main creative forces make his comeback will still be a significant boost.

Eze bagged four goals and provided six assists in 34 top-flight appearances last term, highlighting his importance to Palace, and everyone associated with the south London side will be eagerly anticipating his first minutes of the season.

And, in other news…CPFC could repeat Olise masterclass by signing 20 y/o who has a “really big future”

A number of Wolves supporters have been showing their love for striker Raul Jimenez after he spoke about the fans singing his song.

The Mexican has been a fantastic player for Wolves, having joined the club from Benfica back in 2019.

The 30-year-old has scored 49 goals in 119 appearances, not to mention chipping in with a tally of 20 assists, highlighting his all-round quality in the final third.

Sadly, Jimenez saw his campaign cut short last season after he suffered a very serious head injury against Arsenal, but he is now happily back on the pitch again.

On Thursday, ahead of Monday’s clash with Everton, an official Wolves tweet shared a great quote from the Mexico international, in which he outlined how special it is when the supporters sing ‘Si Senor’.

Wolves fans react to Jimenez comments

Needless to say, these Wolves fans took to Twitter to show their love for their hero.

“It’s because you deserve it”

Credit: @WolvesLads

“Si Senor”

Credit: @Jones53272592

“A song is the least we owe. You and Hwang will be firing for the rest of the season”

Credit: @JamesSa36443478

“You deserve all the love Wolves fans give you, it’s a joy to watch you play football”

Credit: @Carol78487983

“Our Mexican sensation”

Credit: @wwfc_alfiee

“Class player, class person”

Credit: @StevenTania

In other news, one player has been linked with a January move to Wolves. Find out who it is here.

With Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side heading into Tuesday afternoon’s Europa League clash in a decent run of form, with the Bhoys having picked up their first and second away wins of the season in back to back fixtures, the 56-year-old Hoops manager will undoubtedly be hoping for yet another positive result against Ferencvarosi TC at Parkhead.

Indeed, if Celtic are to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition, then a win against their Hungarian opponents is an absolute must, leaving no room for error in the Greek-Australian manager’s team selection.

So, will Postecoglou make any changes to the team which started the 2-0 win at Motherwell last time out? Here’s how we think Celtic could line up against Ferencvarosi, along with the latest team and injury news…

With Postecoglou recently revealing that 19-year-old Adam Montgomery looks set for a return to action after being rested at Fir Park last weekend, we predict that the 56-year-old will make two changes to the team which started the win on Saturday.

As is now a formality, Joe Hart starts between the sticks, while the centre-back partnership of Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers remains intact.

The first change comes at left-back, with Boli Bolingoli dropping out of the side for the aforementioned Montgomery, who is thrown straight back into the XI following his recovery from injury, as the youngster highly impressed in the recent 2-1 win over Aberdeen.

Meanwhile, the equally impressive Anthony Ralston keeps his spot at right-back, with summer signing Josip Juranovic yet to fully recover from his hamstring injury.

In the middle of the park, David Turnbull, Callum McGregor and the more advanced Tom Rogic all keep their starting berths after a collectively solid display against Motherwell.

The second change comes in attack, with Kyogo Furuhashi being moved onto the left-hand side of the front three, Jota switching to the opposite flank and 26-year-old Giorgos Giakoumakis being awarded his first start for Celtic in the centre-forward role, while Liel Abada drops to the bench.

In other news: Ange must finally unleash 26 y/o “phenomenon”, he could fire Celtic to the KO stages

An update has emerged on Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, regarding his thoughts on Newcastle… 

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Mail, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has become interested in the developments at Newcastle this week, following the takeover by PIF on Thursday.

The report claims that it is expected that this season is Gerrard’s last with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, opening up the door for him to come to Tyneside.

Get it done

With Steve Bruce set to be axed by PIF, the new owners will be on the lookout for a new head coach in the coming days/weeks. It will likely be their first major decision, in terms of influencing the future of the club, as owners and fans will be hoping that they can bring in a top manager to lead them up the table under this fresh regime.

They could win the supporters over instantly by making the call to appoint Gerrard as Bruce’s successor. If the report from the Daily Mail is to be believed, the ex-Liverpool man could be keen on the opportunity to come and manage at St. James’ Park and PIF must take advantage of this situation by approaching Rangers to get a deal done.

PIF could attempt to poach a big-name like Jose Mourinho or Antonio Conte, but a measured approach with a long-term plan in place could appeal more to supporters in comparison to aimlessly chucking money about and hoping something sticks. Therefore, Gerrard could be the perfect candidate as he has an excellent track record in his career so far and is still in the early throes of his managerial career at the age of 41.

Former England international Glen Johnson lauded Gerrard’s work at Rangers and claimed that he has an ‘amazing’ reputation. He said:

“Just because you’re a world-class player, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be a world-class manager. So the fact he’s learned the game from the other side, he’s been confident in what he believes in, he’s got a good backroom team around him.

“So he’s done a fantastic job and I can’t think of any better young managers at the moment. He is Mr Liverpool. His reputation is amazing and rightfully so.”

Gerrard has won 2.15 points per game across 185 matches in charge of Rangers, winning the Scottish Premiership ahead of Celtic last term. His Gers side ended the campaign with 102 points and 13 goals conceded, along with 92 scored, as they went unbeaten.

This shows that he can set up a side to be solid defensively whilst still maintaining attacking threat, which ultimately leads to winning football matches. He has proven himself to be a promising young managerial gem and Newcastle fans could enjoy seeing a rookie, so to speak, bring fresh ideas to the club after years of mediocrity in the top-flight.

Therefore, PIF could get the fans onside instantly by appointing an exciting, well-respected, head coach in Steven Gerrard and that is why they must pursue a deal for him to take over from Bruce.

AND in other news, Craig Hope drops fresh £8m Newcastle manager claim that’ll surely delight supporters…

Crystal Palace embarked on a mass overhaul of their first-team squad over the summer, allowing several experienced campaigners to depart before replacing them with exciting, young acquisitions.

And the early indications are that the capital club’s dealings were a huge success. The likes of Marc Guehi, Odsonne Edouard and Conor Gallagher have all hit the ground running at Selhurst Park, propelling Patrick Vieira’s new-look side to a memorable victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

However, while there can be little doubt over the incomings in south London, the club’s hierarchy arguably made a few mistakes when allowing some seasoned professionals to walk out the exit.

Winger Andros Townsend has been excelling at fellow Premier League club Everton in the opening weeks of the new campaign with five goals for the Toffees already, but defender Patrick van Aanholt is another who Palace chairman Steve Parish may have some regrets over.

After joining the Eagles via a £9.45m move in January 2017, the attacking left-back went on to make 134 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in the process.

His impressive performances for Palace saw him soon became a pivotal part of the English sides system under former manager Roy Hodgson, earning him 19 caps for the Netherlands senior setup as a result.

But while the ex-England boss brought stability to Palace during his tenure, Hodgson has left behind an imbalanced and unstable playing squad, with the Selhurst Park outfit having the oldest squad in the top flight in 2020/21.

Consequently, Van Aanholt was one of the players sacrificed to make way for the new era in south London and was phased out of the Palace starting XI in the final few weeks of last term, allowing promising full-back Tyrick Mitchell a chance to shine.

However, the now 31-year-old still made 22 Premier League appearances for Palace, recording 1.4 interceptions per game and 1.1 defensive dribbles per game, the third-highest totals in the Palace squad for each metric, respectively.

His departure on a free transfer in the previous window has left Mitchell as the only natural left-back in Vieira’s squad, while Van Aanholt’s eye-catching performances for Galatasaray in the Europa League will surely leave Parish and co. lamenting their decision to let the defender go.

And, in other news…Signed for £0, sold for £49.5m: Parish struck gold for Palace over £90k-p/w gem

Everton want to sign Real Madrid’s Isco on loan but any deal would prove ‘difficult’, according to Defensa Central. 

The lowdown

Isco is a player who’s been linked with Everton in the past, most recently during Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure at Goodison Park (via Liverpool Echo).

Ancelotti, of course, left Everton in the summer to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He’s handed Isco two starts and four substitute appearances across Real’s first six La Liga fixtures.

The Spaniard received a glowing appraisal from compatriot Andres Iniesta back in 2017, described as a ‘fantastic player with an incredible talent’.

The latest

Everton are apparently ‘going crazy to get signings that improve them’ and have identified Isco as a target for January.

They’ll offer to cover the 29-year-old’s wages, estimated elsewhere at £123,000 per week, until the end of the season.

But the problem is that Isco’s contract expires in June, and so Real may be wary of sanctioning the deal.

To sign him, Everton may instead have to propose a permanent deal and table a three to four-year contract.

The verdict

It’s hard to see this one coming to pass, not least because Isco might be pretty content at the Bernabeu right now. He seems to be an important part of the squad under Ancelotti.

Besides, if Everton were to offer Isco a three-year deal on his current salary, that would represent a commitment of more than £20million. It surely wouldn’t be smart business for a player who will have turned 30, even despite his talent – the Blues have just been through a similar ordeal with James Rodriguez, a player with immense talent but past his peak and on huge wages.

In other news, Everton are poised for this domestic swoop in January. 

Newcastle United have suffered a major injury blow to Joe Willock ahead of their Premier League clash against Watford.

What’s the story?

The Magpies have endured a difficult start to the new top-flight campaign, remaining winless in their opening five matches and currently lying 18th in the table.

Manager Steve Bruce said: “Joe Willock picked up an injury in this week, unfortunately, and Jamaal Lascelles hurt his thigh. So they, unfortunately, go on to the injured list, which makes that about five or six of our first team.

“Not that healthy, I have to say. Disappointed. Joe’s was a complete fluke, unfortunately he kicked the ground, damaged his toe. He’ll not make this week, and probably touch and go whether he’ll make next week as well.”

Massive blow for Newcastle United

Make no mistake about it, being without Willock is arguably the second-biggest absence the Magpies could have faced, outside of Allan Saint-Maximin of course.
The former Arsenal starlet arrived on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window, and in his initial loan spell at St James’ Park, he showed exactly why he’s a real match-winner. He bagged eight in 14 games following his winter arrival and set a new record by becoming the youngest player in Premier League history to score in seven consecutive matches.
That ability to get into the box at the right time to finish things off is something which has been hailed by Owen Hargreaves, too, praising him after his goal-scoring display for Arsenal against Dundalk in the Europa League last season.
The former England midfielder said: “The point is, he can do so much, he gets in the box in the right place at the right time. He wants it to feet, he’s always on the half-turn, which is nice to see. Today I saw a bit more athleticism rather than just coasting in there. His overall game is really good.”
While Willock has yet to find the net so far this season, he has still shown his importance to Bruce’s side with a squad-high 4.3 tackles per game, while only Saint-Maximin has averaged more dribbles per match (SofaScore).
Without him in the starting line-up against Watford, it really looks like it will be more the same of having to rely on Saint-Maximin for a moment of inspiration.
Newcastle fans must be gutted over the injury to the 22-year-old gem, especially considering the freakish circumstances in which it came about.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are eyeing a move for this Championship ace…

Celtic have been linked with a January move for Millwall winger Jed Wallace, Football League World report.  

The Lowdown: Wallace profiled

Wallace is 27 years of age and is primarily a right-winger who can also play in an attacking midfield role.

He appears to be at the peak of his powers with his career-high £6.3m Transfermarkt valuation and is out of contract at The Den next summer.

Wallace, on £12,500-a-week, has made over 350 senior appearances during his career, 227 of which have come for his current employers.

The Latest: Celtic links

Football League World shared a story from their sources on Friday, with numerous clubs eyeing a January move for the Englishman.

Five Premier League teams, Championship side West Brom and both Glasgow clubs were all name-checked with an interest in Wallace.

Millwall want to tie the winger down to a new contract, however, sources informed the site that it is looking difficult.

The Verdict: Sign?

Wallace has netted double figures in the last two Championship campaigns and has already netted three times in five games this season.

On that basis, a pre-contract agreement could be a wise move by the Hoops, who currently have James Forrest, Liel Abada and Karamoko Dembele as right-sided options.

The Millwall man can also move into a central position if required and is clearly a player in demand, but Celtic may have an advantage over English clubs due to cross border rules, meaning the Hoops can discuss a pre-contract move in the New Year, should his situation remain the same.

In other news: ‘First class’ £56k-p/w Premier League man was previously wanted at Celtic, manager confirms.