Crystal Palace have begun their search for reinforcements under new boss Sam Allardyce and with the January window open for 20 odd days more, this is seemingly their last chance to make changes and form a team capable of ensuring a respectable finish in the League.
Palace have been hit with injuries at the back and along with the matter of most of their big-name players not playing to the level expected of them, their brittle backline is also a cause for concern. Alan Pardew’s obsession of playing no holds barred football resulted in a little negligence in the other areas of the pitch.
Their inability or reluctance to replace Mike Jedinak in midfield was befuddling and their defensive midfield has been a source of concern ever since then. They have failed to provide adequate support to the attack and they have been far too easily breached leaving the already under the pump backline exposed.
Crystal Palace have James Tomkins, Scott Dann and Damien Delaney as their centre-back options. They have Martin Kelly, Joel Ward, Zeki Fryers and Papa Souare as fullback options. Fryers is not ready to start a game at this level apparently and the horrific injury suffered by Souare is unlikely to see him back on the football pitch again, which is a heart-wrenching thing on its own.
This has left Palace with Ward and Kelly, both of whom are traditionally right-backs. Thus one of them has been playing left-back as a makeshift option and because it has been going on for quite a while now, it doesn’t bode well for a team who are aspiring to be in the Top 10 with ease and advance on that position.
Palace set up in an offensive manner and their structure enables them to use the flanks to attack and for that proper fullbacks are mandatory. And the makeshift option can never be expected to fill in sufficiently in that role.
And hence reports linking Palace with a move for Sunderland left-back Patrick Van Aanholt is certainly something which makes a lot of sense. The English fullback is one of the most attack-minded around and has demonstrated his ability to impact the game, regardless of the opposition time and again. His experience in playing for a team like Sunderland will be of invaluable help and the pressure which will be on him to deliver won’t be a hindrance, instead, it will likely be something right up his ally.
The 26-year old already has 3 goals and 1 assist in the Premier League this season and with the likes of Benteke and Dann in the side, his deliveries from the wide position will be crucial.
