Crystal Palace have identified a “very aggressive” player as a top target for the January transfer window, having set out to strengthen their backline.
It is no surprise Palace are looking to shore things up at the back, considering they have looked very poor from a defensive point of view during the early stages of the campaign, conceding the highest number of goals in the Premier League.
|
Ranking |
Premier League’s worst defences |
Goals conceded |
|
1. |
Crystal Palace |
21 |
|
2. |
Ipswich Town |
18 |
|
3. |
Sunderland |
17 |
|
4. |
Coventry City |
16 |
|
5. |
Chelsea |
15 |
|
5. |
Man Utd |
15 |
The Eagles’ disappointing defensive record means they are currently in the relegation zone, having taken just seven points from their opening nine matches, a record that leaves them in 18th, behind Manchester United on goal difference.
Pierre Sage’s side have lost their last three Premier League matches on the spin, most recently coming up short in a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, which ramped up the pressure on the manager.
However, Sage has insisted he plans to keep on fighting, saying: “My only way to change a thing is to go on the pitch. That is why I talk to the players and I want to be the first on the pitch on Monday. They can trust in me. I will never give up.
“I will do the best session I can do on Monday because now I have the rage to train more because the game I saw was not in line with my conviction.”
Another way of turning things around is to improve the squad in the January transfer window, and Palace are now planning a move for a new centre-back.
Crystal Palace eyeing move for Chibuike Nwaiwu
According to a report from Turkey, Crystal Palace have now pinpointed Trabzonspor star Chibuike Nwaiwu as a top target for the January transfer window, having sent scouts to watch him in action in the Turkish Super Lig this season.
However, there may be competition from a rival Premier League club, with Fulham formulating an official bid for the centre-back, who has become a key player for Trabzonspor this season, featuring in all of their league matches.
Not only is the three-cap Nigeria international capable of playing in the heart of defence, but he has also revealed he is able to play further forward, saying: “I would describe myself as a very aggressive and fearless player. I don’t like taking risks on the pitch. I prefer to play a safe and solid game. I like winning the ball.
“My coaches in Nigeria, Finidi George and Koc Yem, taught me how to play both as a center-back and a defensive midfielder. Perhaps this characteristic helped me progress.”
Indeed, the 23-year-old excels when it comes to winning back possession, averaging 1.7 interceptions per 90 in the Turkish Super Lig this season, which is the joint-highest number in the Trabzonspor squad.
However, Nwaiwu remains unproven in the Premier League, so it would be a risk for Crystal Palace to sign him in an attempt to fix their defensive issues this winter.
