Crystal Palace made several January signings - but could have made even more.placeholder image
Crystal Palace made several January signings - but could have made even more. | Getty Images
Crystal Palace had an eventful January transfer window - but who else could they have signed?
The January transfer window was certainly an eventful one, and much of the drama involved one club – south London outfit Crystal Palace.
The Eagles begun the month on a run of bad form but otherwise appearing fairly stable, but ended January with their club captain Marc Guéhi having departed, manager Oliver Glasner announcing he will leave next summer and star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta also wanting out but failing his medical at AC Milan on Deadline Day.
The chaos at Selhurst Park was all-consuming, as they signed Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves for £48 million despite the news that Mateta would be staying. They also added Brennan Johnson earlier in the window, and Evann Guessand on loan from Aston Villa.
Despite this extensive transfer spend, and currently sat worryingly close to the bottom three in the Premier League, could the Eagles have done more this month? We had a look at some further signings they could have made, but ultimately did not.
Everton and Fulham moves did not come off as £22m striker moves elsewhere
The headline non-arrival at Crystal Palace was undoubtedly Dwight McNeil, whose £20m move from Everton could not be completed in time in the final hours of Deadline Day despite a full agreement being reached with the Toffees. McNeil was not happy with the breakdown of his move – as detailed in some strong statements to social media by his girlfriend the following day – and the Eagles will have to do without an extra body in wide areas. Someone with the Premier League experience of McNeil could certainly have aided Glasner, but the Austrian must now continue without the 26-year-old.
Palace were also touted as one of several top-flight clubs who were interested in a mid-season move for Fulham’s Harry Wilson. The 28-year-old is set to be out of contract in the summer and has been one of the division’s most in-form players in recent months, but the Cottagers rejected all approaches and the Welshman has stayed put for now. Wilson is likely to have his pick of clubs in the summer if he does not extend his stay in west London and the Eagles will hope they can make a convincing pitch to convince the winger to make the short trip across London if he does end up as a free agent this summer.
Before their huge late move for Strand Larsen, Crystal Palace had also been linked with a January swoop for 19-year-old Angers striker Sidiki Cherif. The Eagles were reported to be in “advanced talks” to sign the highly-rated forward in a deal worth around £22m, amidst competition from ambitious Championship side Wrexham. Ultimately, though, neither club could convince the Guinea-born gem and he moved on an initial loan to Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig. If Cherif goes on to realise his vast potential, this may end up as one where Palace wonder what might have been.
Central defence was a position of priority - but the Eagles could not secure targets
Following the £20m sale of Guéhi to Manchester City, signing a centre-back to replace him was a priority. While the Eagles were not able to secure any of their targets in the position, it was not for a want of trying.
One defensive starlet who was linked with a mid-season move to Selhurst Park was Toulouse man Charlie Cresswell. Formerly of Leeds United, the 23-year-old starred as England Under-21s won the European Championship over the summer and attracted strong interest from Premier League clubs such as Palace, Brighton and West Ham. Cresswell has stayed put in Ligue 1 for now, but he might be on the move before too long and the Eagles will hope to be in the reckoning if that does happen.
For now, though, the FA Cup holders will be forced to make do without a replacement for their departed captain for the remainder of the season. They were also linked with highly-rated Chelsea teenager Josh Acheampong, as per Sky Sports News, in the latter stages of the window. The youngster has broken into the Blues’ first-team squad this term with 18 appearances in all competitions, but might still see his pathway to becoming a regular starter somewhat blocked at Stamford Bridge.
Palace reportedly lodged a Deadline Day bid for Acheampong, which was swiftly blocked by Chelsea. An alternative defensive target did not emerge in time for the deadline, and that would be it for the Eagles’ winter arrivals – have they done enough to avoid being dragged into relegation danger? Only time will tell.
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