With the January transfer window now open, where will Crystal Palace be looking to improve their squad?
As they battle to stop what would be a shock relegation to the Championship, new Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce will be desperate to improve his squad during the January transfer window. Despite spending millions under former boss, Alan Pardew, the Eagles are drifting steadily closer to the relegation zone, and now are in need of some new blood to jump start their season.
With that in mind, we take a look at three areas Palace will be looking to add to this month, as the race to stay in the Premier League hots up.
Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce
A New Left-Back
After a long term injury to left-back, Pape Souare, Crystal Palace are in need of a new defender in this position. Over the recent weeks, Palace have been forced to field former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly, a right-back, in this position, much to the despair of the Eagles faithful. With Norwich City’s Robbie Brady apparently looking for a move back to the Premier League, Sam Allardyce may well turn to the Republic of Ireland international to solve his left-back woes.
Norwich’s Robbie Brady
A New Central Defender
Whilst Scott Dann has continued to stand out for Palace for his defensive displays, Palace fans will be hoping Sam Allardyce can bring in a defender to match his quality in this window. Despite recruiting James Tomkins from West Ham over the summer, Crystal Palace have struggled for quality at the back this season, and will no doubt be on the lookout for the ‘Sam Allardyce type’ defender to plug up their leaky defence. With Allardyce’s former defender Lamine Kone possibly looking for an out of Sunderland, the former England manager may well turn to his former club for reinforcements, or perhaps turn to want-away Southampton defender, Jose Fonte.
Southampton’s Jose Fonte
A New Defensive Midfielder
After the departure of club stalwart, Mile Jedinak, Crystal Palace have really lacked a solid defensive midfielder this season. Often playing with two deep-lying centre midfielders, Palace rely on a ‘controller’ type central player, to cover the back four and break up opposition play. Morgan Schneiderlin looked a good option but Palace appear to have missed their chance with him. Could Sam Allardyce turn to his former club Sunderland again, looking to sign Jan Kirchhoff, who played that role immensely for the Black Cats last season.
Manchester United’s Morgan Schneiderlin
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
