Crystal Palace’s season would see a turnaround if they sign this experienced 29-year-old in January

Why Crystal Palace should go all out to sign Shinji Kagawa in January

According to a report from the Sun, Everton and West Ham are interested in Borussia Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa.

The Japanese star has fallen down the pecking order at Dortmund under manager Lucian Favre following the emergence of Jadon Sancho and the form shown by Marco Reus. The 29-year-old has managed just four appearances this season and is considering his options in January.

Shinji Kagawa has made more than 200 appearances for Dortmund over two spells, scoring 60 goals for the club. The Japan international’s current deal at the Westfalenstadion expires in 2020 but the German outfit could look to cash in on him in the New Year.

Keeping that in mind, should Crystal Palace join fellow Premier League clubs Everton and West Ham for the playmaker’s signature?

They surely must. Crystal Palace have struggled since the start of the season and are currently at 16^th place on the table with just 8 points in 12 games. Andros Townsend’s goal at Chelsea was impressive even though the game resulted in nothing but a 3-1 defeat for Crystal Palace.

It was just Palace’s third goal from open play in their last 9 games that points to a crisis as far as the team’s attack is concerned.

The Eagles have a lot of attacking players but they lack a match-winner in their ranks, barring Wilfried Zaha. The Ivorian has been Palace’s main man once again but Roy Hodgson simply cannot rely upon the Ivorian to deliver the goods week in and week out. A dry patch would surely come at some point this season for Zaha and Hodgson needs to be ready for it.

The likes of Christian Benteke, Alexander Sorloth and Jordan Ayew have contributed to no goals in the league this term, which is sure to worry Hodgson. One cannot fully blame the strikers for not scoring enough goals as the service they have got this season has been very minimal.

Keeping that in mind, the Eagles should bring in a player who can constantly create opportunities as well as score goals.

Shinji Kagawa would fit the bill perfectly for Palace in that case. Kagawa had a spell in the Premier League with Manchester United and although it was an underwhelming one, he managed to score six goals in 57 appearances. The Japanese may have had a difficult first spell in English football at Manchester United but he remains a fine talent nevertheless.

A technically gifted player, Kagawa thrives in the No.10 role but he is also adept at playing on either flank. He is intelligent, creative, industrious and can influence the play in the final third. The pocket-sized magician has the ability to pick out a pass and operates with a lot of flair and energy.

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Palace have been overly reliant on Zaha this term, but Kagawa’s arrival would take the weight off his shoulders. Hence, Hodgson must go all out to sign Kagawa in January as he deserves another shot in the Premier League.