SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Understandably, Odsonne Edouard’s arrival on deadline day grabbed the headlines, and also the attention of Crystal Palace fans – obviously.
It was a bargain move for a player who has scored 86 goals across the last four years, including strikes at the San Siro and Ibrox.
However, there was one deal which doesn’t seem to have received anywhere near as much attention as we think it should.
Who is it?
Dougie Freedman’s capture of Will Hughes for just £6m isn’t being spoken about enough.
Unfortunately for him, his arrival was dwarfed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United
The club didn’t help much either, after announcing him on the same day as Conor Gallagher’s masterclass against West Ham.
It gives us the same feeling of when James McArthur arrived from Wigan for just £7m, once again to little fanfare from supporters.
Make no mistake about it, this one could end up in the ‘bargain of the season’ conversation once the 2021/22 campaign is over.
It’s not so much that supporters aren’t excited. In our view, it’s more a case of Hughes not being that well known amongst the fanbase.
Of course, supporters may have heard of him, but he isn’t the type to dominate the spotlight and end up on the Match of the Day showreels doing all sorts of tricks and flicks.
It is for that reason why we feel the 26-year-old’s qualities aren’t being eulogised enough over.
Think about it. How many neutrals rave about McArthur? Barely any. Why? Because he keeps his head down, delivers a 7/10 every week, and stays out of the limelight.
Crystal Palace have found a gem in Will Hughes
When you talk about seizing opportunities in the market, this is a prime example.
Hughes had just one year remaining on his contract with Watford, and was keen on a fresh challenge according to The Athletic.
If that wasn’t the case, Watford could – quite rightly – have asked for at least £15m, if not more.
There’s a reason Hughes was likened to Paul Gascoigne back in 2013, when he had the likes of Barcelona sniffing around him.
As the Express reveal, Liverpool even submitted an £8m bid.
Once he starts to get a run of games under Patrick Vieira, the Crystal Palace supporters will know what a fantastic player they now have on their hands.
