Crystal Palace do not need Ivanovic with Wan-Bissaka shining

By Josh Challies

Crystal Palace have endured a tough start to the Premier League season after losing five of their opening eight matches, keeping just one clean sheet since the opening weekend.

Roy Hodgson is intent on bolstering his defensive ranks at The Mail states the Eagles are eyeing a surprise swoop for former Chelsea full-back Branislav Ivanovic, who is now 34 and plying his trade in Russia with Zenit St. Petersburg.

The Serbia international became a cult-hero at Stamford Bridge after spending nine years with the Blues and a return to the Premier League may appeal for the veteran – but it would be a bizarre move on Palace’s part.

(Photo by Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Naturally a right-back, Ivanovic’s arrival could put a spanner in the works of Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s development and the Eagles should keep faith in the 20-year-old who has impressed so far this season for the South London side.

Wan-Bissaka has featured in seven Premier League matches for Hodgson’s team and boasts the best average rating of any Palace player on WhoScored, showing just how important an asset he has become.

The youngster has also picked up the Man of the Match awards from WhoScored in each of Palace’s two victories in the league so far this season, providing further evidence that he is a player who Hodgson should build the defence around.