Does forgotten man Jonny Williams have a future at Crystal Palace?

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Much of Crystal Palace’s transfer window has been focused on the departure of Yohan Cabaye, the possible return of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Wilfried Zaha’s transfer saga.

In addition to these headlines, one rarely-mentioned player who could serve as a new signing is Palace’s forgotten man, midfielder Jonny Williams.

The Welsh international has not started a league match for the Eagles since their Play-Off Final win in 2013 and has played a grand total of 223 minutes for the club in the Premier League.

Yet, in a recent interview, with Football.London, Williams opened up on his injury frustrations and his dreams of breaking through again at Selhurst Park.

“When I have played in the Premier League it has been 15 or 20 minutes here or there and in that time, I was able to create chances, and I felt comfortable at that level…

“Hopefully, when I can get going, I can show people what I can do. I need the belief in the manager to play me and show what I can do, and I will keep working hard.”

Williams mentioned his involvement at Euro 2016 as an example of his qualities at the highest level, and the creative midfielder caught the eye with impressive performances during a run to the semifinals in France.

However, at club level, Williams has failed to impress during a number of loan spells at Football League clubs. The 24-year-old spent last season at Sunderland, scoring just one goal in 13 appearances as the Black Cats were relegated to League One.

However, now that the midfielder’s injury woes are behind him, Williams could finally remind Palace fans of the glowing potential he exhibited when he first broke onto the first team scene in the early 2010s.

Jonny Williams has time on his side to kickstart his Premier League career, and if Roy Hodgson places his faith in the Welsh international, the midfielder might provide Palace with some vital substitute appearances this upcoming season.