Crystal Palace have shown a lot of ambition in the summer transfer window but failed to start the season on a positive note. After three Premier League games, the Eagles have just one point and it’s as clear as daylight that there is plenty of room for improvement at Selhurst Park. The Eagles managed to score their first Premier League goal in their third game, so it’s quite clear that there no real cutting edge in the team.
According to reports from Tutto Mercato, Crystal Palace have submitted an offer of around £12.7m for Brazilian attacking midfielder Lucas Lima although Santos, Lima’s employers, are holding out for a £17m fee as per the same report. It seems that the South London club’s interest in the Brazilian’s international is concrete and we might soon get to see an improved offer from Pardew’s side.
Crystal Palace do not have a single out and out number ten right now and we have seen the Eagles struggling to open up opposition defences. Lucas Lima is a quality attacking midfielder and can easily solve the woes at Selhurst Park. The Brazilian international is someone who can bring the sense of excitement in Crystal Palace’s game with his playmaking abilities.
Lima has everything you want from a Brazilian attacking midfielder- excellent ball control, nice touch, amazing technique and jaw-dropping dribbling skills. The 26-year-old is a brilliant passer of the ball, be it long or short and can unlock the tightest of defences with his excellent vision.
The Santos star is an extremely selfless player and knows exactly when to release the ball. The 26-year-old can find him teammates with his pinpoint through balls. Predominantly left-footed, Lima likes to shield the ball when he is on the move and rarely gets knocked off it. Moreover, Lima is a brilliant set-piece taker, something Crystal Palace can benefit from.
Capped 12 times for the Selecao national team, it’s a surprise to see a player like Lima still plying his trade in Brazil. Aged 26 now, the flamboyant attacking midfielder needs to move to Europe sooner rather than later in order to flourish his career. An opportunity to join the Premier League will definitely attract the Santos star. So for both parties, this will be one hell of a deal. With Cabaye and Lima, they can focus on playing front-footed football rather than focussing on defending first and knicking a goal.
