Why Khouma Babacar Is A Necessary Signing For Crystal Palace In January
According to reports emerging out of Italy, Crystal Palace are set to rekindle their interest in one of their summer targets, once the January transfer window opens. Italian outlet Calciomercato (via talkSPORT) claims that the Eagles are set to move for Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar, after having failed with an attempt to sign the 24-year old in the summer.
Palace are off to a horrendous start to the new season, that sees them without a point or a goal in six Premier League games. Having already seen a managerial change at the club, with Frank de Boer getting replaced by former England boss Roy Hodgson, things don’t look very good for the Eagles as of now and are the prime contenders for the drop based on how things stand currently.
However, Hodgson will look to turn things around and sees additions in January as a key part of his revival plans. And Babacar seems to be at the top of the Eagles’ shopping list once the winter window is open for business.
The 24-year old enjoyed a fairly successful campaign last time around, finishing with 14 goals and 3 assists in 31 games (18 starts) in all competitions, but has seen game time come sporadically in the new campaign. The Senegalese striker has just featured three times for the Viola so far, all from the bench, totaling up to sixty minutes, with no goal or assist to show for.
Palace are severely short-handed in the striking department, with Christian Benteke the only out and out striker available at Hodgson’s disposal currently in the ranks. And it certainly hasn’t helped that the big Belgian forward has struggled in front of goal and seems extremely low on confidence, having yet to open his goal-scoring account for the season.
Connor Wickham is still sidelined due to injury and Bakary Sako only just returned from one. They can be options when completely fit, but with the magnitude of the battle that Palace have at their hands, they definitely need another goal-scorer who can get them 10-15 goals a season and neither Wickham nor Sako are going to be able to do that for them.
So, a new striker in January, who can come in and make immediate impact makes a lot of sense for the Eagles. And Babacar more than fits the bill for the club to go out and sign him up.
The Senegalese international is tall, strong and can cut it out in the physical style of football in England. Technically gifted as well as powerful, Babacar can provide an added thrust in the final third for the Eagles.
The 24-year old still has two years left on his contract with the club, but a lure of playing in the Premier League may turn out to be a hard thing to turn down. And given that he has had to make do with a role from the bench so far, this season would mean, the chance for more regular playing time would also appeal to him.
Babacar may not have been able to score as of yet this season, but in the past three seasons with Fiorentina, he has shown enough to be regarded as a dangerous forward with an eye for a goal. And goals are what Palace will need, if they are to mount any sort of a comeback and stave off the relegation battle. And bringing in the 24-year old could help them in a big way in achieving that.