Are Crystal Palace showing their desperation by looking to sign Christopher Samba?

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Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce is reportedly putting his own stamp on his squad in the current transfer window by bringing in defender Christopher Samba, according to The Guardian.

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Samba, who used to play under Allardyce during their Blackburn days, has been a free agent since being released by Greek outfit Panathinaikos and is now reportedly on trial at Selhurst Park – with a view to a potential deal being made.

After dropping into the relegation spots at the weekend after Palace’s late defeat at the hands of Everton, Allardyce is now keen on bringing in defensive recruitments before the January window ends.

His side have conceded 41 goals this season; only Swansea, Hull and Sunderland have conceded more, and for Palace to be in with a chance of survival it’s key for them to cure their leaky defence.

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What would Samba bring to Selhurst Park?

Samba hasn’t had the best of times over the past few years; unable to hold down a first-team spot across Europe, he’s had spells at Anzhi and Dynamo Moscow in Russia before his torrid season spent in Greece – where he made only two appearances.

His recent form might not fill Palace supporters with much hope, and at 32-years-old he’s not getting any younger, but there’s one thing he has in abundance – Premier League experience.

Five years were spent at Blackburn, with two of these working under Sam Allardyce, and he also spent a short spell at Queens Park Rangers in England’s top division; so he knows the tempo and physicality of the Premier League inside and out.

There was a time during his Blackburn days where Samba was considered one of the best defenders in the league; he was a constant thorn in an attacker’s side at one end of the pitch, and always carried a threat from set-pieces at the other end.

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In his 161 appearances for Rovers, Samba scored 16 times – which is no mean feat for a centre-back – and Palace could certainly do with a different type of attacking threat in their survival fight.

One other, literally, huge asset of the Congolese international is his 6ft 4in frame. In a league that’s tough and physical, Samba has what it takes to compete with opposition strikers, and his strength at the heart of Palace’s defence could prove highly useful in consolidating a weak back-line.

Add to this his natural ability to lead a side, which made him captain of the Congo national side, and it’s already starting to take shape that a partnership of him and Scott Dann could come to fruition.

Is a reunion with Allardyce likely?

In all honesty, why not?

At 32-years-old Samba is unlikely to be getting many offers of football in Europe’s top leagues, and his prior experience of the Premier League should have him licking his lips at playing in England once again.

Obviously, the final decision is down to Allardyce and his managerial side, and they will base their decision on what they see from Samba during his trial; but with Samba a free agent, and with Allardyce already having a rapport of some sort with him, it could be a risk worth taking.

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Who knows, it could turn out to be an inspired signing for Palace – after all, Big Sam is well known for his ability to perform the great escape, so who’s to doubt his managerial choices.

Verdict

9/10 – Samba will know that this trial period at Selhurst Park could prove to be his last chance at playing at the highest level of football in his career, and he’ll give it his all to impress Allardyce. With Palace struggling hugely at the back it won’t do any harm to bring in more defensive reinforcements, and it could prove to be worth going for someone with experience rather than taking a punt on a foreign defender.

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