Can this controversial striker be a success at Crystal Palace?

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The name Emmanuel Adebayor is one that often throws up a lot of opinions and emotions, a hefty chunk of which are quite negative. This is no doubt something that Alan Pardew was fully aware of when he approached the former Tottenham man with a short-term deal who has been out of contract since agreeing to terminate his contract at White Hart Lane back in September. However, regardless of any antics that the Togo international may be capable of; there is one thing for certain – wherever he goes, he scores goals.

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Goals are one thing that Crystal Palace have really lacked this season and have scored just 24 goals in their 23 Premier League fixtures to date, making them the joint third lowest scorers in the division. The need for a new striker to arrive had also become epitomised by the Eagles recent form where they have not won in their last six league outings and have scored just the single goal in that time.

The other strikers at the club will be quite nervous following the arrival of Adebayor as Frazier Campbell, Marouane Chamakh, Dwight Gayle, and Connor Wickham have found the net just once in the league between them as midfielder Yohan Cabaye sits as the top scorer at Selhurst Park. The former Real Madrid striker comes with more Premier League goals than any of Palace’s forwards. It will no doubt be the hope of Alan Pardew that Adebayor can reignite the form that saw him turn into one of the stronger strikers in the Premier League during his earlier years.

For Adebayor himself, it was probably a very easy decision to join Crystal Palace. He has spent many years playing his football in London, and Palace themselves have quietly had a very successful season so far quietly building a good record in the Premier League. Alan Pardew had previously attempted to sign the Togo international back in 2006 during his time at West Ham but was unsuccessful on that occasion, but a decade on he has finally got his man.

The former City man is often an unpredictable and divisive individual, but his on field talents are undoubted. Although his application and attitude can sometimes be brought into question, Adebayor can definitely make an impact for Palace. Palace already have big, powerful hold-up players available to them, but the Togo international brings something different to the other forwards as he has a real eye for goal and the stats to back it up. Adebayor arrives with 94 Premier League goals to his name which; regardless of how you feel about him as an individual, is an impressive record.

One issue that will concern many Crystal Palace fans is whether the mental side of Adebayor’s game will be up to scratch. Match fitness is something that comes with time but the former Togo international has insisted that he is in good shape and is ready to play, but Alan Pardew will no doubt have to call upon all his man-management skills in order to make sure that his new signing is happy and performing at his maximum at Selhurst Park.

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One particular fixture stands out in this regard and that is an away trip in April to Adebayor’s old stomping ground of the Emirates Stadium. If the former Arsenal man is selected for this fixture and is able to show that he can still motivate himself for the biggest games regardless of the hostile atmosphere he would no doubt receive. It could really show that this is not just a final hurrah for Adebayor but that he has rediscovered the hunger and drive that saw him score plenty of goals during his earlier years in the Premier League. In addition, it will be interesting to see what celebration the controversial striker has up his sleeve should he manage to find the net against Arsenal. However, perhaps if Alan Pardew is successful in getting through to the unpredictable forward, we may see a new mature side to him and maybe we won’t see another length of the pitch sprint/knee slide combo that was controversial to say the least.

In remains to be seen as to whether Emmanuel Adebayor will have what it takes to make an immediate impact at Crystal Palace and whether he can sustain a good run of form and perhaps extend his stay at Selhurst Park beyond the end of the current campaign. However, one thing is for certain and that is that Adebayor arrives with a real pedigree for scoring goals at the highest level and at a consistent rate. The Crystal Palace faithful will definitely be hoping that the arrival of Adebayor can cause Alan Pardew’s men to find a run of form and get themselves back into contention for Europe next season.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Ben Sutherland