Crystal Palace are said to be interested in signing Fulham’s Ryan Fredericks this summer.
Crystal Palace are reportedly out to sign Fulham’s Ryan Fredericks as they seek to bolster their options at full-back for next season.
But in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, they already have one of the Premier League’s best young right-backs out to nail down a first-team role next season. So what would a new arrival mean for him at such a critical stage in his development?
The academy graduate seized his opportunity during the second half of this season, slotting in serenely against heavyweight opposition in the form of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s ineligibility against his parent club and Joel Ward’s injury presented him with the chance to follow Wilfried Zaha from the youth ranks to the first-team picture, securing the club’s Young Player of the Year award and a new four-year contract as just reward.
His fearless approach down the right flank and excellent tackling ability means Bissaka is already a firm favourite at Selhurst Park. And, with Ward poised to leave the club when his contract expires, he could have the chance to become a permanent fixture next term.
That could all depend on who comes in this summer, however. According to the Evening Standard, Palace also hope to sign 25-year-old Fredericks from Fulham, although such a move will hinge on whether their London rivals win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
With Ward going and Fosu-Mensah unlikely to return for a second spell in south east London, it makes sense for Palace manager Roy Hodgson to be equipped with two natural options on the right of his defence.
Rather than halting Bissaka’s emergence, Fredericks’ arrival gives Hodgson the chance to pull his young talent out of the limelight if required and manage his development as he continues to comes to terms with the physical demands of senior football.
It seems a safe bet for Palace, with potentially huge rewards to be had.
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