Rolando Maximiliano Bruno Martins Indi, widely expected to join Stoke City after being a constant feature for them last season, is set to join Crystal Palace if reports are to be believed. In what will emerge as a shock to Stoke fans, Martins Indi, the man credited for leading a defensive renaissance for The Potters in the last campaign has chosen to join his compatriot in charge at Selhurst Park, Frank de Boer.
The 25-year-old Dutchman still has a year left on his contract with Porto and is set to join Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee subject to a medical which is widely believed to be just a formality at this stage. Mark Hughes has every right to be furious with the Stoke management as the club had the option to sign Martins Indi by July 1st but let it lapse, leading to a rather unfortunate development as far as Stoke City are concerned.
Martins Indi has faced his share of misfortune after he was sent off in a game against Argentina during the World Cup Qualifiers following a rash reaction to being fouled. They ended up losing that game and the then 23-year-old Martins Indi, publicly slated by manager and fellow teammates alike, ended up never featuring for the world cup qualifiers under Danny Blind, who was sacked after Netherlands failed to qualify for the Euro 2016, and a teetering World Cup Qualifying campaign with two defeats in five opening matches leaving the Dutch in real danger of missing out on another major world tourney.
The defender, comfortable both as a centre-back and on the left flank, is physically imposing and can hold on to the ball under pressure. Capable of relieving pressure on his team by playing precise passes against high pressing teams, Martins Indi alongside Stoke City-bound Kurt Zouma would have been a dream pairing for Mark Hughes. But if reports are to be believed that ship has well and truly sailed.
The incoming Palace boss has seen Martins Indi at close quarters as the defender featured in the national side’s under-17s when de Boer was the assistant coach of the senior side. The 25-year-old is set to join Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek as the Selhurst Park outfit’s second signing of the season. The latter joined Crystal Palace on a season long loan deal.
A solid defender in his own right, Martins Indi’s playing style is suited to the Premier League and could go on to be a valuable addition to Frank de Boer’s squad.
