Crystal Palace are in the middle of a pathetic season, as they have struggled to cope with the pros and cons of the Premier League. The Eagles do have the quality to survive in the top flight but they seem to have lost the plot this season.
Barring a win against defending champions Chelsea, Roy Hodgson’s side have done nothing special this season and if Hodgson remains in charge until January, he is likely to invest pretty heavily in the winter transfer window.
According to reports, Crystal Palace are mulling over a move for Leicester City forward Islam Slimani. The Algerian international is no more the preferred choice at the King Power Stadium and given Leicester’s star-studded forward lineup, his game-time will definitely reduce, as time goes on.
Claude Puel took charge of the club, following Craig Shakespeare’s departure but Slimani’s position hasn’t changed, as the 29-year-old remains on the bench. Things do not seem like they will change soon and the forward is considering alternate options.
Palace are looking for a goal poacher following Christian Benteke’s blank form and Sliman could be a decent option. With the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend in the side, Palace do have the resources to do severe damage to a top-flight opponent but goals have been a problem.
The absence of a potential forward up front, who can unlock the defences has been felt and Slimani’s arrival could solve the problem. He has started just one game this season and Palace could provide him with the game time that he has been craving for.
Slimani has a decent goalscoring record under his belt but he hasn’t been used by the Foxes frequently. He is also very effective in the air and it could be a big advantage for Palace, who have wingers that can cross the ball on a consistent basis.
It is a long hectic season for Hodgson’s, who side showed flashes of encouragement against Chelsea and West Ham United, where Zaha salvaged a point for the Eagles.
But the dire need of a proper no 9 has become more and more evident and Palace could go in with all their force, to secure the services of Slimani. Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham have been on the sidelines and Hodgson has been forced to use Zaha more centrally up front.
It seems Puel is unlikely to use Slimani on a regular basis so if an offer comes, he won’t have a problem in releasing the player. But is Palace his best bet?
