Crystal Palace did not directly replace Michael Olise during the summer transfer window.
Oliver Glasner and Dougie Freedman – Director of Football at Selhurst Park – decided to explore other avenues in the transfer market, recruiting a variety of right footed attackers in Daichi Kamada, Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah, rather than a left footed winger who cuts inside from the right.
Now, some insight has been provided in regards to what Crystal Palace expect from Nketiah, to give the side a new dynamic…
What Crystal Palace expect from Eddie Nketiah
A story from the BBC now shares some details about Crystal Palace’s summer transfer window.
It is said that Crystal Palace hope Nketiah’s ability to run in behind opposition defences will “bring different qualities to the team” after Olise moved to Bayern Munich.
The England international was clocked as the fourth fastest player at Arsenal with a top speed of 36.2 km/h back in January 2023 – according to STATSports – so he certainly has the speed to stretch opponents.
By the sounds of it, those at Selhurst Park have simply accepted that a player as talented as Olise cannot be directly replaced for a realistic sum of money – so a number of attackers with differing qualities have been signed to offer Glasner a stronger variety of options instead.
That is probably a sensible move, as even with a budget of £100m, it would be hard to find a left footed attacker as good as the France international, who also plays in the same position – only Arsenal No.7 Bukayo Saka and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal spring to mind, in truth.
Could be a stroke of genius
Of course, every Crystal Palace fan wanted to see a direct replacement for Olise arrive, mainly with the balance of the side in mind – Johan Bakayoko was one similar option Freedman looked at.
However, after three seasons in the Premier League, opponents might have figured out a way to stop the 22-year-old Olise, or at least nullify his threat somewhat, leaving Glasner scratching his head.
In stark contrast, we now find ourselves in a situation where, if an opponent is dealing well with Kamada, we can bring a vastly different forward on to replace him in Sarr, one who can stretch games with his speed, whereas the Japan international is more of a ball-to-feet attacker.
Nketiah – who is close friends with Eberechi Eze – can also stretch backlines, while his movement is superb.
Hopefully, the ability to change things up with a varied attack will see us cope without Olise in the 2024/25 campaign.
