Juventus are reportedly lining up a move for Crystal Palace fullback, Patrick van Aanholt as a replacement for Alex Sandro. The latter continues to draw convincing links projecting a move to Manchester United this very summer. His backup, Kwadwo Asamoah is also tied to rumours of a transfer to Inter Milan, potentially leaving Massimiliano Allegri in the dump ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
Obviously, the Serie A champions will have to keep up with the growing power of their rivals, SSC Napoli who have just appointed Carlo Ancelotti as their head coach. The Blues are approaching quality players and are now hungrier to topple the Juventus dominance in the domestic fixtures.
Aanholt is one of those attack-minded full backs who can appear from any position on the left. Packed with flair, the 27-year-old played a key role under Roy Hodgson the last term to help Palace survive relegation. He scored 5 times and set up one assist in 32 appearances across all competitions.
Hodgson utilised the Dutchman to his full capacity on the left to dismantle clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool late in the 2017/18 Premier League campaign. The Eagles grabbed the 11th spot of the points table with 11 points adrift of the relegation scraps. Aanholt has played his part on the defensive end while remaining a constant threat of offence. The 27-year-old is not short on skill or pace and has a brilliant left-foot to go along with the rest of his 5 feet 10-inch stature.
Aanholt still has 3 more seasons left in his contract with the Selhurst Park-based outfit, after confirming the switch from Sunderland in January 2017. He is a product of the Chelsea youth academy but could not break into the senior team.
He signed with the Blues in 2007 and spent his early years out on loan with Coventry City, Leicester City, Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic. He made only 8 senior team appearances for Chelsea before he got traded away to the Black Cats in July 2014.
Now he has racked up over 120 games in the English top-flight and is at the peak of his playing career. He made 51 appearances for the Netherlands youth sides and currently has 8 caps for the country’s senior team.
Playing for a European elite will significantly improve his chances of international selection and Juventus seems like a team who is perfectly suited to his game.
Read More: Celtic Contract Rebel Now On Crystal Palace’s Radar: The Right Partner For Milivojevic?
Maybe Palace should be lining up replacements as we speak, given the financial pedigree of the Bianconeri and the opportunities for Aanholt in Turin.
