Crystal Palace attacker Jordan Ayew played a key role in Saturday’s victory over Burnley, and he has now been praised by assistant manager Paddy McCarthy.
Ayew provided a wonderful assist for Jeffrey Schlupp’s opening goal at Turf Moor, and although he has been criticised at times, he has provided one goal and three assists from the wings in 11 starts this season.
Whilst he is not the most prolific finisher, he brings a lot of energy and work-rate to the team, and McCarthy has now heaped praise on the 32-year-old.
Paddy McCarthy praises Jordan Ayew
Speaking to Crystal Palace club media, McCarthy, who is Roy Hodgson’s assistant manager, praised the £35k-a-week attacker.
“He’s a workhorse with high quality. He protects the ball for us when it goes into him,” he stated.
“He’s a really difficult, awkward customer to deal with for any opposition, and his assist was fantastic – a little bit similar to the Sheffield United one when he whipped that ball across for [Odsonne] Edouard.”
Jordan Ayew’s useful qualities
Ayew is never going to be a wildly prolific attacker, nor can he replace the supreme skills offered by Wilfried Zaha on the wing. However, this does not mean he cannot be a very useful squad player.
He is capable of producing occasional moments of magic, with his assist on Saturday, as well as his stunning goal against West Ham a few seasons ago showcasing his innovative ability in the final third.
McCarthy has highlighted Ayew’s work rate as a positive: he is a dream for most managers in the sense that he will constantly run, and can be a useful asset both from the start and off the bench to inject energy into the side.
At 32, he may not be a long-term starter, but as a squad player, he can offer a lot to Palace going forward.
