Crystal Palace have been one of the most underperforming sides so far this campaign in the Premier League. A couple of wins in their last two league games against Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion followed by today’s narrow win over Watford means the Eagles have been apparently bailed out of the relegation zone but the doubt still lingers on their availability in the top flight next season.
Sam Allardyce is familiar to such circumstances but irrespective of whether they manage to stay in the Premier League or get demoted, their squad needs a massive overhaul. There aren’t many players in their ranks who can boast of being stupendous and consistent at the same time.
According to one of the latest reports to have emerged is that of Crystal Palace being touted as the next destination for Galatasaray’s full-back Lionel Carole. The 25-year old has been in stellar form so far for the Turkish Lig outfit during his 21 appearances for the Lions, registering 1.5 tackles, 2.4 interceptions, 2 clearances and 0.1 blocks per game on an average and no wonder the London-based club are queuing up to make him put pen to paper.
Predominantly a left-back, Carole is a versatile player who can operate on the left-hand side of the midfield with equal enthusiasm and ability. Having joined Galatasaray from Troyes in July 2015, the Frenchman has cemented his stature as a regular first-team player and his attributes have really been put on the showcase time and again.
Carole is a modern day full-back who doesn’t refrain from making surging runs into the final third. His crosses are well structured more often than not and his pace makes it quite difficult for the opponents’ defenders to contain him. He already has 2 assists to his name so far and 1 key pass per game on an average and is arguably a very handy attacking-minded player. Defensively speaking, he beats the opponents aerially more often than not, holds the ball well, passes the ball well and his calmness doesn’t really allow him to rush into tackles which is why he is so highly rated in Turkish Lig.
Should Crystal Palace make a bold move for him, it would definitely be a wise investment to make. They do have a leaky defence and without any shadow of a doubt, a massive restructuring would be needed and in a scenario like this, Carole fits the bill quite well.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
