Crystal Palace signed Yohan Cabaye for £10 million in July 2015.
During an exclusive interview with football magazine TheSetPieces, Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye shared the reason behind his move to Selhurst Park from French giants Paris Saint-Germain in 2015.
The 30-year-old spent only 18 months in Paris, and grew frustrated with his lack of regular first-team starts along with the weak level of competition in the French league.
The former Newcastle United man spoke to TheSetPieces magazine about the combative nature of the English Premier League, and why the fierce levels of competition was a huge factor behind his move back to England:
Crystal Palace’s Yohan Cabaye in action with Burnley’s Dean Marney
“Every team now has a fantastic squad. They can buy big players in every league. Every team improved themselves, now it’s more difficult than last season to win games. We spent a lot of money, a few teams also spent a lot of money. The levels are closer. The big six teams are up there, but the gap has reduced a little bit. We’re not far away from them and their quality. In one single game, we can of course win.”
The 48-capped France international has made 51 appearances for the Eagles since his move to south London, and has proved to be an integral part of Alan Pardew’s side, chipping in with seven goals.
Crystal Palace’s Yohan Cabaye in action with Leicester City’s Shinji Okazaki and Andy King
Palace have struggled in recent weeks, however, and currently sit just two places outside the relegation zone, after going five league games without a win.
During that spell, the usually consistent Frenchman has been well below the high standards that are expected of him, so Palace will need him to return to his best sooner rather than later if they are to turn around their poor form and begin climbing the table.
Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy in action with Crystal Palace’s Yohan Cabaye
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