Crystal Palace Opinion: Why Omar Elabdellaoui would be a fantastic signing

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace have held talks with Olympiacos over a deal for £7million defender Omar Elabdellaoui.

The Norway international, 27, enjoyed a solid season with Olympiacos in Greece last season, hitting five goals and seven assists in all competitions. He is an experienced performer and has previously played in England with Manchester City and Hull City.

The Eagles have been very quiet in the summer transfer window in terms of incomings, having signed only backup goalkeeper Stephen Henderson and loanee Jordan Ayew permanently.

Before next week’s transfer deadline Roy Hodgson needs to bring in few more players to bolster his squad. One area he definitely needs to address is the right-back position, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka having left for Manchester United.

Wan-Bissaka was outstanding last year for Palace and is considered one of the best defensive right-backs in the Premier League. His departure has left a massive void in the team which Hodgson is yet to fill in.

With the money they have received with the England Under-21 international’s sale, the Eagles boss should splash the cash and sign Omar Elabdellaoui.

There will always be scepticism when a player from the Norwegian league is signed by a club in the Premier League, but Elabdellaoui already has previous experience of playing in England. He had a solid season with Olympiacos, producing dazzling displays from the right flank, whilst bagging plenty of assists and goals.

The Norway international is agile, attacking and pacey and his final product is fantastic too. He would undoubtedly make a real difference to Palace’s attacking play on the right-hand side. 

While he is a good passer of the ball, the ex-Hull City star also likes to link up the play and sets up his teammates with key passes. Elabdellaoui has great technique, can deliver fantastic crosses and is no slouch defensively.

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At 27, the Olympiacos defender is playing at the prime of his career. Elabdellaoui would be the right player to replace Wan-Bissaka and compete with Joel Ward for the right-back spot next season.

Verdict

Signing Elabdellaoui would be a step in the right direction for the Eagles. He would undoubtedly bolster Palace’s backline, whilst improving their chances of finishing in the top half of the table next term.