Sam Allardyce’s reign at the Selhurst Park hasn’t panned out at it was supposed to be. The script has only put downward trajectory on offer as Crystal Palace are yet to free themselves from the clutches of purple patches. They are currently is desperate need of an uplift in their morale and performance because axing Alan Pardew has barely aided to their cause.
However, there is no denying that the brigade Allardyce has at his disposal isn’t quite astonishing or brilliant in any manner. Rather, the Eagles can be classified as a bunch of mediocre personnel who have been serial underperformers for quite some time now. An overhaul in the squad could be done only in the summer, though there are chances of fixing some of the major issues in the ongoing transfer window to ensure that they do not suffer in the coming months where their tensile strength would be vouched.
They need quality and class, for there is an apparent dearth of the same in their ranks. They have been leaky at the back, timorous in the middle and blunt up front. More than anything else, it is arguably the attacking zone which needs to be addressed owing to a paramount urgency to do the same. Lately, reports have been emerging that the London-based outfit have been digging hard in order to get hold of Gabriel Obertan. But the much more important question that lingers on is whether the Premier League flop going to rescue Allardyce’s outfit?
Sir Alex Ferguson had brought Obertan in 2009 for a fee of around £3 million, but he failed to make any sort of impression at Manchester United. A move to Newcastle United followed and despite staying at St. James’ Park for half a decade, he remained ineffective owing to long spells of injuries and lack of form. Currently a free agent after being released by Anzhi Makhachkala, the Frenchman is eyed by Crystal Palace, though at the onset, it appears that he would hardly be a fruitful one.
The 27-year-old winger has been a serial flop in the top tier on both the trials and roping him into the squad would mean undertaking an unwarranted risk by Allardyce. At this point, Big Sam must sniff for proven and prolific campaigners instead of vying underperformers who aren’t likely to come to their rescue. Crystal Palace should not mount interest on Obertan and rather try for much better acquisitions.
