According to reports from the Daily Star, Crystal Palace are very keen on making a move for Gary Cahill. The Chelsea veteran has been released by the club, which means that Premier League sides have a chance to sign a very reliable and consistent centre-back.
That is exactly what is happening, with the report further revealing that Arsenal, West Ham and Aston Villa are also in the race. That does give Crystal Palace a big headache but it’s a race that they need to win in the near future, especially given their issues.
The Eagles finished the season in 12th place, finishing 15 points above the drop zone but that wasn’t always the way things stood. At one point, they were in 14th and three points away from the relegation zone.
At the same time, they had the second-best defensive record of the bottom-ten Premier League sides. Roy Hodgson and his side finished with that record, with only Newcastle United conceding fewer goals than them. However, that won’t be enough next season and thanks to their offensive problems, Palace need back-up.
Not to mention, Gary Cahill has bags of experience. The 33-year-old Chelsea veteran, on the other hand, could be just the man that Roy Hodgson needs leading his backline, especially in times of trouble.
He finished the season with just eight appearances in all competitions, with just two substitute appearances in the Premier League.
This combined with the fact that he is a free agent does make him a very valuable option. The former Bolton star has spent seven years at Stamford Bridge, winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy among many others.
Yet, it’s Cahill’s 348 appearances in the Premier League is what all his suitors are after, as few players come with that kind of experience. Adding a 33-year-old will always carry a risk but it’s a risk that the Eagles have to take.
The fact that Palace have Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins, Scott Dan and out of favour Jairo Riedewald as their defensive options, does make things very interesting. Neither Tomkins nor Sakho have impressed this season, despite both of them having good starts to their Crystal Palace career.
Scott Dann has ten to his name but a large portion of those are off the bench and Riedewald, on the other hand, didn’t play a single minute. Things need to change and Gary Cahill is just the man to help add consistency, reliability and experience. Three things that the Eagles need to move further forward.
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Crystal Palace may have had a few offensive issues this season but they need consistency and reliability in their backline. That is exactly what Gary Cahill will add to their squad and while he may be 33 years old, he will still prove to be a rather valuable asset.
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