Crystal Palace are already looking at January signing options after a struggling start to the 2024/25 season.
Despite being unbeaten in three games, things around Selhurst Park are still far from perfect as goals prove increasingly hard to come by.
Crystal Palace sit 17th in the league table after drawing 2-2 with Wolves – with Oliver Glasner left dismayed by VAR.
This has seen the Eagles score just eight goals so far this season which is the second lowest behind Southampton who have seven.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 15 |  LeicesterLeicester | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 18 | -4 | 10 |
| 16 |  EvertonEverton | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 9 |
| 17 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 7 |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 5 |
| 19 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 19 | -12 | 4 |
It is an appalling record and one which needs to improve if the Eagles are to rise away from the relegation zone, and Dougie Freedman is now making concerted efforts to do so.
However ahead of January, one attacking target could mean a drastic change to the style of play implemented by Glasner.
Crystal Palace target Oumar Diakite
In an effort to add goals, Crystal Palace have been linked with Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson – although that move would likely come with huge risk due to his injury record.
However, a more fitting profile would be Oumar Diakite from Stade Reims who has found himself at the top of the list of attacking reinforcements should Jean-Philippe Mateta depart.
The 20-year-old Ivorian is a long-term target for Freedman, with Crystal Palace first linked back in March.
The desire for a new player to utilise up front comes due to Mateta’s ever-stuttering contract talks.
Should Mateta be sold in 2025, Crystal Palace would be left with just Eddie Nketiah and need to strengthen going forward.
Explaining exactly why Diakite has cropped up as a possible signing once again – however, he is very different to Mateta and this could suggest a change in the system for the Austrian manager.
Diakite and Jean-Philippe Mateta are very different
Replacing Mateta with Diakite would be an exciting move, however, it would also be a bizarre one considering the differences the pair have in physical nature and also in terms of style.
| Diakite | Mateta | |
| Height | 6ft | 6ft 4in |
| Weight | 76kg | 88kg |
| Games | 9 | 10 |
| Goals | 2 | 3 |
| Assists | 1 | 0 |
| Chances created per 90 | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Lay-offs completed per 90 | 1 | 1.4 |
| Duels won per 90 | 5 | 3.3 |
| Touches per 90 | 36.8 | 25.3 |
Mateta is a classic target man and the Eagles almost play around him – something that is made easy by his size. However, Diakite is a very different prospect being shorter and also less physical.
Diakite also contributes more by way of touches and winning duels which is a testament to his work rate.
These reasons would all suggest that Diakite’s arrival would see the Eagles play a brand of football which was more centrally focused on playing along the floor.
