The responsibility of bailing Crystal Palace from the relegation zone was scrapped from Alan Pardew and then handed over to none other than veteran relegation escapist, Sam Allardyce. Big Sam has done it many times in the past and the scenario this time around isn’t going to be soft either.
To instil confidence and inject resilience into his side, the former England manager has an uphill task to lure a player with notable stature at Crystal Palace; maybe someone like Patrick van Aanholt. First bid of £7 million from the Eagles to rope in the Sunderland left-back has been rejected, but that doesn’t mean Allardyce should back down.
Instead, we give three good reasons as to why he must be signed with the necessary cost to ensure that Crystal Palace has a jovial mood come to the end of the season.
The Eagles Are In Need Of A Proven Figure
Selhurst Park is crying for an authoritative figure to shake them out of their apathy. Crystal Palace have been leaky at the back and have conceded as many as forty goals so far this campaign.
To ensure that they survive, they must keep the attackers of the opponents in check, so their sight which has been channelized lately towards van Aanholt makes complete sense.
He is a tested customer and has proven his credentials in the Premier League. The 26-year-old has been thoroughly involved in the tactical setup of David Moyes, having bagged 20 appearances so far on the important full-back role and has catered to the role assigned to him with a superb aura.
The ‘Arsenal DNA’ Not Coming, Apparently
A few days earlier, it appeared like the Eagles were set to sign Arsenal’s prodigal son, Carl Jenkinson but it has been reported that the talks have been called off.
Allardyce is already frustrated with the lack of quality defenders already, and failure to lure Jenkinson was like sprinkling salt on the wound. The right-back could have really helped Crystal Palace but by the look of it, it is apparent a distant dream.
The Dutchman Is A Complete Package
It would never be biased to underline that van Aanholt is a complete utility player. The former Chelsea defender can be resilient and resolute and at the same time can make surging runs up the pitch to meet his side’s offensive needs. He toils relentlessly on the flanks and creates wonderful crosses, chances and bangs goals as well.
He has won 27 tackles with a success rate of 50%, made 38 interceptions, 50 clearances and 5 blocks so far in 21 appearances and let’s not forget to mention that he has found the back of the net three times and created a whopping amount of 28 chances as well.
The Dutch international has been in the scheme of things in his national side as well and in no case should his quality be doubted upon.
Statistics Credits: Squawka
