Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho joined Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season in January.
Crystal Palace’s Mamadou Sakho in action
With his time at Liverpool looking to be up since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Anfield, the future of Mamadou Sakho has been up in the air for a while now. Whether or not he would leave the Reds in the summer was a big debate, but after failing to find a move before the end of the summer, the former PSG defender had to bide his time until January to secure a move.
And it was the former England manager Sam Allardyce who would supply a lifeline to the Frenchman. Desperately needing defensive reinforcements in his bid to save Crystal Palace from relegation, the London club secured the services of Sakho on loan until the end of the season.
Although he has made just three appearances for Crystal Palace so far, the on-loan defender is already having a big impact. Tall, full of pace and vocal at the back, Sakho has already provided Palace with more stability and guidance at the back than they were getting from players such as James Tomkins and Damien Delaney.
Though often mocked at times during his spell at Liverpool for his slightly hap-hazard style, Sakho’s quality cannot be denied, and he, along with left-back Patrick Van Aanholt, have made a big different to Allardyce’s side since their arrival.
Crystal Palace’s Jason Puncheon and Mamadou Sakho after the match
Some credit needs to go to Sam Allardyce here too though. The former Sunderland manager’s squad has taken time to adapt to his methods, but now thanks to his new players, and after being given the time to implement his style, Palace are starting to feel the Allardyce affect.
WIll the Eagles stay up this season? This question would have been a lot harder to answer in January. But now, Crystal Palace look a good bet for yet another year in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace’s Mamadou Sakho arrives before the game
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