Unlike Hull City, who are experiencing a surprising turn in form since their appointment of new manager Marco Silva, Crystal Palace haven’t seen any change of fortunes. Sam Allardyce has done little to bring any sort of positivity at Selhurst Park, neither by winning matches nor by adding players.
The Eagles are hovering just above the relegation zone just by the credit of their goal difference and any attempt by Allardyce to change the team’s gameplay has failed terribly. Their humiliating 3-0 defeat against West Ham United last week, further adds to the fire.
Although Palace are linked with a host of players there hasn’t been much action except the recent transfer of left-back of Jeffery Schlupp from Leicester City. Allardyce is eyeing more reinforcements at the back and one of his prime targets as been Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt.
However, as per reports, the Black Cats boss David Moyes, has rejected any such move stating that he wants to build a team rather than giving in at such a time of crisis.
He said, “We have actually had a few bids for quite a lot of our players because we have got some good players here and maybe people think we could be easy pickings. But we are not. I want to keep all my good players, I want to keep them here. I want to try to build, I want us to add to our group rather than lose players.”
Palace have conceded 40 goals so far and their defence is leaking badly. Schlupp definitely won’t be enough if Allardyce wants to bolster his backline. Here are 3 alternatives, Palace should go for after missing out on Aanholt.
Jose Fonte
His departure is imminent. And a number of suitors are waiting outside Southampton’s office to get their hands on him. Liverpool are the firm favourites to land him as it always is with the Saints, but nothing has materialised till now.
The Eagles can jolly well swoop in while there is time. The 33-year-old has a ton of experience at the highest level and could definitely steer Crystal Palace past their current crisis.
Mamadou Sakho
Another player, whose departure is a surety. After his rift with Jurgen Klopp, he hasn’t featured in Liverpool’s first team. A Paris Saint-Germain’s youth product, Sakho’s build is that of a tank (not all that literally) and he’s an intelligent centre-back who knows how to use his big frame of 187 cm. He’s quite a domineering figure in the air. He has been playing the U-23s for the Reds and is hungry for games.
Carl Jenkinson
Now, here is an option, who could be Palace’s grasp. After his disastrous return from injury into the Arsenal squad, he has been short on confidence. His loan spell was a mixed one under Bg Sam at West Ham and the duo could be reunited if the gaffer makes a move.
