The way things are going, Sam Allardyce might just be able to pull out yet another mastery of a season endings, if the former English manager manages to keep Crystal Palace in the Premier League by the end of the season.
The 62-year-old came at the helm when the Eagles were drowning with relegation the only outcome and has now steered them to the 15th position now, three positions and seven points above the relegation zone. The Eagles have had some notable victories against Chelsea and Arsenal in the past few weeks and Big Sam’s winter shopping have come into effect brilliantly.
The London club will be looking to bring more players coming summer as Allardyce looks to challenge for a respectable spot next season. While retaining the services of Christian Benteke and Wilfred Zaha in the attack will be a significant job for the board, the defence and midfield will be prime areas of strengthening. A number of names are linked in the past few weeks with the latest being Ligue 2 midfielder Guessouma Fofana.
According to reports, Premier League clubs Crystal Palace and Stoke City had sent scouts to the French second division side Amiens’ fixture against Le Havre on Friday to watch the 24-year-old, and they have returned with positive reports.
Amiens won the match 2-0 and Fofana was the real orchestrator of the game pulling strings from the midfield. Fofana can play anywhere through the middle of the park whether it be on the offensive or defensive and relies mainly on his phenomenal work rate and physique to impose his style. At 184cm, he could be a brilliant option in the Premier League to dominate aerially and Palace’s midfield would only level up with his inclusion.
Palace had to wait few weeks to get the work permit of Luka Milivojevic and he has brought the much-needed calm and control in Eagles midfield. Fofana alongside him could be a decent combination for Palace.
An academy product of AC Le Havre, Fofana moved to the US Boulogne B side in 2012, before French third tier side AS Lyon-Duchère picked him up that summer. He moved up a tier when Amiens came calling three seasons later in 2015. He has since then taken his time to break into the first time making 28 appearances.
Amiens has labelled their star play at £4million, a price tag most Premier League and Championship clubs could afford. Which is why clubs like Aston Villa and Bournemouth are all keeping tabs on him.
