Alan Pardew’s managerial career has been marked by acute peaks and desperate troughs, and Crystal Palace are very much experiencing the latter. The Eagles have won just two of their last 24 Premier League games which is a desperate run of form. Palace have sold Mile Jedinak and Yannick Bolasie, who Pardew describes as ‘iconic players’, and their departures signify the break up of the squad that got them from the Championship back into the Premiership. Palace’s problem for a few seasons now has been the lack of a reliable goalscorer and Pardew has tried to address this in the window by bringing in Christian Benteke and Loic Remy. However, they are still in need of further additions and regeneration. We suggested three deadline day signings Palace could make.
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
According to reports this morning, Palace are at the front of the queue to take Arsenal and England midfielder on loan. Arsenal are keen for Wilshere to stay at the Emirates in the long term, but feel a spell of playing regular football will help him recover from a long term absence from top level football. When on song, Wilshere would be a serious asset from any Premier League team. Palace have a reputation as something of a workmanlike unit, but Wilshere would sprinkle some stardust on the team. A potential midfield partnership with Yohan Cabaye would be one of the most technical midfield outside of the top six.
Wilshere would give Palace’s play a new dimension. His ability to receive the ball under opposition pressure and turn out of trouble is almost unique, especially for an English midfielder. Not only does Wilshere need a regular run of first team football to prove his fitness, he also needs to settle on one position. He has been used everywhere from No 10 to holding midfield in his truncated career and despite his undoubted talent, he sometimes appears a little lost on the field. Arsene Wenger will hope he can find his groove at Selhurst Park.