The midfield department at Crystal Palace could benefit from some injection of class in 2025.
Oliver Glasner’s options look increasingly exhausted, with injury troubles plaguing almost the entire department.
Justin Devenny was given his debut last weekend – a decision Glasner was forced into due to the injuries currently plaguing Crystal Palace.
Adam Wharton has undergone surgery and is currently fighting to be back fit. Meanwhile, Jefferson Lerma remains out and Cheick Doucoure is still being eased back in.
Other than this, Will Hughes is another option but is far from his best and should only really be a backup.
Now, new blood has been linked with a move to the Eagles.
Crystal Palace could sign Cheick Doucoure 2.0
In order to strengthen the midfield there have been several players linked. Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Habib Keita from Clermont in January.
Meanwhile, Sunderland’s Chris Rigg has also been linked with the Eagles, although stiff competition is faced for the 17-year-old superstar in the making.
It has now been reported that Crystal Palace want to sign RC Lens midfielder Andy Diouf.
Dougie Freedman will face interest from the likes of Tottenham in order to sign the talented French midfielder and it would be a swoop that saw Crystal Palace repeat the signing of Doucoure who also came from Lens.
Diouf is a drastically different player, but he – as the £21m Doucoure has done – has the quality to shine within the Premier League.
Andy Diouf would be an excellent addition for Oliver Glasner
While Doucoure’s strengths lie more in his impressive defensive actions and also his passing – Diouf is more of a progressive midfielder.
Some of the players FBRef has compared Diouf with shows perfectly what kind of player he is.
- John McGinn – Aston Villa
- Manu Kone – AS Roma
- Nicolo Barella – Internazionale Milan
- Julian Brandt – Borussia Dortmund
Diouf creates 3.61 shots per 90 (86th percentile) while he also shines in progressive carries with 4.18 per 90 (98th percentile) and then 2.12 successful take-ons (98th percentile).
This addition of Diouf could be an excellent partner for Wharton with the 21-year-old Frenchman taking the more attacking mantle.
