Why Crystal Palace Should Avoid Signing Thomas Vermaelen This Summer
According to latest reports from the Mirror, Crystal Palace are plotting a sensational swoop for Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen in order to strengthen the team’s defence.
New manager Frank de Boer is keen on signing a new central defender in the summer and has identified the former Arsenal skipper as the new target, with the player also keen on a return to the Premier League.
Palace haven’t been able to make any inroads into the transfer market as of yet, after having spent a good chunk of the last month in search of a new manager, following Sam Allardyce’s resignation. Having appointed the former Inter Milan and Ajax boss De Boer as the new boss, they are looking to bolster their ranks ahead of the new season.
The heart of the defence is something that the new manager is keen on improving in the summer. With Scott Dann and James Tomkins the only senior centre-back options, along with the ageing Damien Delaney, depth in the position is a must for the Eagles if they are to avoid a fate similar to last season, where they had to fill in Martin Kelly as a makeshift centre-half for most parts of the previous campaign.
Palace had set their sights on last season’s loan star Mamadou Sakho, but aren’t willing to match Liverpool’s £30million price tag for the Frenchman, which has left the club in search of an alternative.
Vermaelen, who established himself as one of the most impressive centre-halves in the Premier League during his days with Arsenal, but has struggled to maintain that level of performance since his transfer to Barcelona back in 2014.
The Belgian international has been hampered by a spate of injuries since his move to the Catalans, due to which he hasn’t been able to cement a place for himself with the Blaugrana. Even when fit and given a chance to play, Vermaelen has looked a very pale shadow of his past self.
Last season, Barcelona shipped him out on loan to Serie A side AS Roma, with an option to make the move permanent. However, another injury meant that the 31-year old could make only 12 appearances for the Giallorossi, following which they have decided not to sign him permanently.
There are no doubts that Vermaelen is surplus to requirements at Barcelona, after having made just 21 appearances in two seasons after his £15million switch from the Gunners. They will be looking to move him away on the cheap, despite two years still being left on his current contract.
However, Palace should steer clear of the 31-year old at all costs. Yes, he has a lot of experience in the Premier League and has proven his pedigree in England in the past. But ever since he has left the North London club, Vermaelen has been on a decline, and has become seriously injury-prone. Just 33 club appearances in three seasons is a poor record of his fitness. And at 31, there are slim chances of him being able to reproduce his level of performances for Arsenal a few years back.
There are easily many better options out there in the market for Palace to look at and taking in all factors at play, Vermaelen, despite his experience, isn’t what they should be targeting to sign in the summer.
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