Why Middlesbrough should go all out to sign Jason Puncheon in January
According to a report from the Northern Echo, Middlesbrough are interested in signing Crystal Palace outcast Jason Puncheon. In fact, Boro manager Tony Pulis tried signing the 32-year-old in the summer but a move never materialised.
And after staying put at Crystal Palace, Jason Puncheon has barely got a look in from Roy Hodgson this season. The attacking midfielder has played just five Premier League games, making cameo appearances in each one of those. He has been restricted to cup games, with the likes of Luka Milivojevic, James McArthur, Max Meyer, Cheikhou Kouyate and Jeffrey Schlupp all ahead of him in the pecking order.
With Jason Puncheon’s situation unlikely to change at Selhurst Park, Middlesbrough must make a move for him in the January transfer window.
Middlesbrough started the season well but have slipped down to sixth place in the table after their dip in form of late. However, Tony Pulis’ side ended their five-game winless run with a victory over relegation-threatened Reading at the weekend. But that doesn’t change the fact that the Teesside-based club need reinforcements in the winter transfer window to bolster their promotion hopes.
At times, Middlesbrough look like proper promotion candidates but on the odd occasion, they are extremely poor. If Pulis can fix that little problem, Boro will be up there in the playoff race. And one aspect the Welsh tactician should prioritise addressing is his attack, which has looked dull, predictable and devoid of energy at times.
The likes of Martin Braithwaite, Rudy Gestede and Britt Assombalonga have been very underwhelming in the Boro attack and that’s where the signing of Jason Puncheon would make sense. Puncheon, who has worked with Pulis at Palace, should be willing to move as he has barely featured for the south Londoners this season.
The Croydon-born star is a versatile player who can play on either wing, on the left of the midfield trio or as a No.10. Puncheon is a technically-gifted player and he combines sound technique with his low centre of gravity and silky dribbling skills to wreak havoc through the opposition’s defence.
Not only does the former Southampton ace have an incredible eye for a pass, but his ability to go over and above defensively when required would make him a real asset for Boro.
Furthermore, Puncheon has spent the majority of his career in the top-flight, so he will bring a lot of experience to Riverside Stadium and would also add some much-needed guile and creativity to Pulis’ goal-shy team.
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Hence, having someone of Puncheon’s quality for the second half of the campaign can be invaluable for Middlesbrough.