Why Crystal Palace must reignite their interest in Moussa Marega
According to a report from the Sun, Crystal Palace failed in their £9m pursuit of FC Porto striker Moussa Marega in the summer transfer window.
The Mali international made 29 league appearances and scored 22 goals, guiding Porto to the league title last season. He has continued that form this campaign, netting three goals and providing an assist in eight league fixtures.
Moussa Marega has netted an impressive three goals in four Champions League appearances this season as well.
Looking at the 27-year-old’s exploits this season, Crystal Palace must reignite interest in their summer target.
As evident from their goalscoring record, Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace have struggled to find the net this season, having scored only 8 goals so far from 13 games. Speaking about their recent 0-0 draw with Manchester United, Palace had a lot of opportunities to score and win the game at Old Trafford on Saturday.
After a slow start, Palace grew into the game, with Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend exploiting the spaces behind the Manchester United defence. However, the Eagles were too profligate when the chances fell at them, mostly in the second half, and a clinical goalscorer was once again missed by Hodgson.
The Eagles have been hit hard by the long-term knee injury to Christian Benteke and on-loan Swansea forward Jordan Ayew has added nothing up front, leaving the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend to carry most of the team’s burden as far as the attack is concerned. Hence, Hodgson desperately needs a striker and he should attempt signing Moussa Marega in January.
Marega is a strong, powerful forward blessed with good pace and technique. He has the ability to time his jump to perfection to win the aerial duels and can outmuscle defenders in the box with his brute force.
Using his massive frame to shield the ball from the defenders, the Malian is known for his ability to hold the ball in the final third for his teammates to get into scoring positions.
An incredibly instinctive centre-forward, the 27-year-old seems to know exactly where the goal is and that makes him a really tricky player to mark. Furthermore, Marega can also operate on the left and right wing, which is always a useful attribute for your striker to have.
He is a terror in the box and also has the ability to find the net with powerful shots from outside the box, something that adds to his collection of skills.
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Thus, Palace should do everything in their powers to sign Marega in January to solve their goalscoring woes.