It is taking a long time for Sam Allardyce to get his first win with Crystal Palace. The Eagles are yet to go through a purple patch since the start of the season and a change in the managerial position hasn’t quite helped either.
Allardyce has quite openly stated that the Eagles team left by Alan Pardew has been quite below average and the Englishman is planning an overhaul in the current transfer season in his quest to survive the club a relegation at the end of the season. And he has even made strides towards it by signing Premier League champion Jeffery Schlupp from Leicester City.
Although a number of names have been linked with a move to Selhurst Park, a leaky backline isn’t the only concern for Palace at the moment as they also lack creativity in the attacking too. Palace have scored 30 goals and conceded 40 goals so far.
Except for Christian Benteke, Crystal Palace forwards have been all immensely ineffective. The fact that the second highest scorer on the team is James McArthur, a defensive midfielder and in the next three there are two centre-halves, James Tomkins and Scott Dann, hints at the huge void of quality up front for Allardyce. What Allardyce essentially needs is someone who could balance the act of defence and offence.
And according to reports, Allardyce’s search for a perfect winger has taken him to Fleetwood starlet Amari’i Bell. Crystal Palace have made an enquiry for the Fleetwood starlet. The promising left-back has impressed since joining the League One side ahead of last season.
In his 26 appearances for Fleetwood last season, he has scored once and assisted five times. He has made quite a name for his maturity that exceeds his age. His knack for attacking also allows him to play as a left winger, a quality that Palace is in huge need of at the moment.
An academy product of Solihull Moors FC U19, Bell had short loan stints at Birmingham in the U-18 as well as the first team, Nuneaton, Mansfield Town, Swindon Town and Gillingham Town before moving Fleetwood town.
Other clubs like Aston Villa, Norwich, Brighton and Derby are also keen on Bell and landing him won’t be that easy for Palace, although their Premier League status will definitely help. He has 18 months left on his Fleetwood deal and is focused on trying to help them clinch a top six spot. But with interest in him mounting he could have a decision to make this month.
Although he is inexperienced, his agility and hunger could definitely help Allardyce and Crystal Palace in their quest.
