Christian Benteke is Crystal Palace’s established main man and so trying to find space for Luuk de Jong alongside the forward in a 3-4-3 seems unwise.
Luuk de Jong is a transfer target for Frank de Boer and Crystal Palace, according to the Daily Mail.
The report suggests that De Jong is closing in on a move to Selhurst Park as he was left out of a friendly squad for current club PSV Eindhoven on Sunday.
Many will quickly recall a disappointing stint at Newcastle United – where his brother Siem now plays – in 2014, but the failings of that loan spell went beyond a return of zero goals.
De Jong had been deployed as a second striker or a wide forward earlier in his career, but that role simply did not work for him in England as he played second fiddle to fellow loanee Loic Remy.
While the 26-year-old has since rediscovered his scoring touch with PSV, he has reverted to a central striking position to do so.
Unfortunately for Palace, that is not a berth where they currently need a first team performer, with Christian Benteke the focus of their new 3-4-3 formation.
De Jong would be ill-suited to a wide position alongside the Belgium international and, with his stock currently high, surely would not accept a back-up role.
The PSV man may deserve another chance in the Premier League, but both he and Palace would be wise to avoid a switch that would not suit either party.
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