Crystal Palace’s shrewd signing will make Eberechi Eze even more influential this season
The addition of Jefferson Lerma alongside the outstanding Cheick Doucoure allows Eze to take on a new role
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Firstly, Crystal Palace will be relieved to prove that they can win while being dominant in possession. Last season, they took one point from the three games in which they had most of the ball. In 2021-22, they won of the five matches in which they dominated possession most (1-0 at home to Watford). Here they had 67 per cent of the ball and should have won more comfortably.
I think the reason for that instant improvement is the arrival of Jefferson Lerma, who was superb on debut. The combination of Lerma and Cheick Doucoure, player of the Season last year, acts as a very handy roadblock for potential counter attacks. Palace can push forward without fear of being exposed as they were before, particularly before Doucoure settled in last season.
The other impact of that double pivot is that it allows Eberechi Eze to take on another new role, the advanced central midfielder who can stay high up the pitch. Under Roy Hodgson last season, Eze drove forward from a deeper midfield position and scored goals with those late runs – now he can dictate play. His seven chances created was the highest of any Palace player in a match since 2016; he had eight shots too.
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GREAT NEWS : Crystal Palace ‘are set to make £12m bid for super player and has double striker’s wages’
Crystal Palace ‘are set to make £10m bid for Che Adams and could DOUBLE Southampton striker’s wages’
- Crystal Palace are reportedly set to make a £10m offer for Che Adams
- The Southampton striker has scored twice this season after their relegation
- Roy Hodgson is keen to reinforce with Jean Philippe-Mateta potentially leaving
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Crystal Palace are reportedly set to make a £10million bid for Southampton‘s Che Adams.
Roy Hodgson is said to be keen on the 27-year-old and the Selhurst Park outfit could double his wages to around £60,000.
Adams has been with Saints since 2019 and scored ten goals in all competitions last season but could not prevent the south coast club from being relegated.
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It comes with rumours surrounding Jean Philippe-Mateta’s possible exit from Palace this summer after scoring just twice last campaign.
Adams could be the man to replace him and replenish the depth in Palace’s frontline, according to The Sun.
Crystal Palace are reportedly set to make a £10m offer for Southampton striker Che Adams, 27
He could serve as a replacement to Jean-Philippe Mateta if he departs Selhurst Park
Then he netted just before the hour mark as they came from behind three times in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Norwich.
Crystal Palace have looked revitalised since Hodgson’s return, winning seven of their 12 games under him.
Arriving in March to replace Patrick Vieira as the club slid down the table, he steered them to safety and they beat Sheffield United 1-0 on Saturday.
The loss of Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray, however, sees them start a season without their star man for the first time in 10 seasons.
Adams has an interesting story after playing his first three seasons in non-league before moving to Sheffield United in League One, then Birmingham in the Championship, then Southampton in the Premier League.
His best top-flight record to date came in 2020-21, when he bagged nine goals in 36 games.
Roy Hodgson has signed a deal to stay at Palace for the season after steering them to safety
