Why Crystal Palace should go for Rangers star Alfredo Morelos in January

Crystal Palace enjoyed a really exciting transfer deadline day as they managed to recruit James McCarthy and Victor Camarasa from Crystal Palace and Real Betis respectively.

They also captured the signature of experienced defender Gary Cahill on a free transfer, whilst retaining the services of talismanic forward Wilfried Zaha.

However, the Eagles failed to address one of the most crucial positions over the summer—the forward department. Scoring goals was Crystal Palace’s biggest problem last season, with none of their strikers living up to the expectations.

Wilfried Zaha shouldered the responsibility of scoring goals once again and was fortunately helped by Chelsea loanee Michy Batshuayi and skipper Luca Milivojevic, whose majority of the goals came from spot-kicks, however. The expiry of Batshuayi’s loan deal has left Roy Hodgson’s side pretty blunt up front.

The likes of Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham have proved incapable for this task, which means Palace have committed a huge blunder by stepping into the new campaign without signing a prolific goalscorer.

Last month, a report from the Football Scotland had claimed that the Eagles were interested in signing Rangers star, Alfredo Morelos. However, a deal didn’t go through and the striker has remained with Rangers for now.

Alfredo Morelos, 23, has started the new campaign in some style, bagging seven goals already in as many games across all competitions. He also recently scored in the Gers’ thumping 6-1 win over Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

Given his goalscoring record with Rangers and the manner in which he started the new campaign, Crystal Palace have every reason to reignite their interest in the stocky Colombian and make an attempt to sign him when the transfer window reopens in January.

For now, Hodgson will have to depend on the likes of Zaha, Townsend, Benteke, Ayew and Wickham for goals. The onus will once again be on Zaha to deliver the goods week in and week out, however. The Ivorian will need to take the Eagles into a good position from where Morelos could come in and help the team.

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In terms of attributes, Morelos is one of those players who prefer to run the channels, make runs in behind to stretch the defence.

He is good on the ball, is physically strong and very clinical in terms of finishing off the chances in and around the opposition box. Indeed, the Colombian provides a lot of intensity, energy and work rate and his general hold up play is also impressive.

Verdict

If Hodgson fails to address this massive problem in his squad during January, then Premier League survival will be tough to secure.

Morelos could provide that goal threat to Palace and considering his record in front of goal for Rangers in the last two seasons, the Colombian star could prove to be a fantastic buy.