Crystal Palace missed out on signing a top class new striker in the summer transfer window. Jordan Ayew was brought in from Swansea City for a fee of £2.5 million. The Ghanaian attacker spent last season on loan at Selhurst Park but only managed to bag one Premier League goal. The 27-year-old is not the answer to the Eagles’ goalscoring woes.
The expiry of Michy Batshuayi’s loan deal left Roy Hodgson’s side in desperate need of a new, reliable forward. The likes of Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham have proved unsuitable for this task. A summer bid for Fedor Chalov was rejected by CSKA Moscow, meaning Crystal Palace have begun the new season with this issue yet to be resolved.
However, the free agent market may provide a solution. According to the Telegraph, former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is considering a number of offers, including from Fenerbahce, Real Betis and Marseille. The 29-year-old attacker is available as a free agent having left Anfield at the end of last season.
TBR’s view
Crystal Palace should act fast to offer the England man an opportunity to remain in the Premier League. Sturridge is a talented player who would add some real quality and experience to Hodgson’s squad. If he could steer clear of injury he could be prolific for the Eagles.
If Hodgson fails to address this chronic deficiency in his squad, then top flight survival will be tough to secure. Sturridge could provide the injection of additional goal threat that the Eagles desperately need.