Why Vicente Guaita Would Be A Good Signing For Crystal Palace
The Roy Hodgson revolution at Crystal Palace continues and after signing a midfielder (Erdal Rakip) and a defender (Jaroslaw Jach), he now turns to the goalkeeping department. The medical for Vicente Guaita has reportedly taken place and Palace are set to make him their 3rd signing of the season.
They are reportedly ready to activate his £3.5million release clause and bring him to Selhurst Park now, although reports in the Evening Standard suggest they will pay Getafe £7million to get the deal done as quickly as possible. However, Getafe boss Jose Bordalas has now suggested that the goalkeeper would stay with them this month.
The goalkeeping department at Crystal Palace has been a slight problem area for a while, with Welsh international Wayne Hennessey not completely trusted by his boss. His deputy, Julian Speroni, is one of the oldest players in the Premier League.
Vicente Guaita is a different class compared to the current options that Palace have at their disposal. He came through the ranks at Valencia and has kept players such as Cesar Sanchez and Miguel Angel Moya out of the side. He has recently been between the sticks for Getafe where he has been a key element in helping Getafe to 11th place in La Liga.
The Spanish side will be very reluctant to see him go but the amount of money in the Premier League means they would eventually have no choice. Guaita will be hoping that makes the step up to the Premier League.
Crystal Palace have been rotating their goalkeepers quite a lot but they will be looking for Guaita to make the shirt his own. He has been impressive so far this season for Getafe, conceding just 18 goals in 18 games. That would be an excellent return and if he produces something similar at Palace, he would solve the problems that they currently have.
Roy Hodgson prides himself on the organisation of his teams and the goalkeeping situation at the moment is less than ideal. If the defence do not know for sure as to who will be behind them, it gives them a level of uncertainty that creates panic, and defences do not do well while in panic.
Although Palace have been on a very good run of form, the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal showed that there are problems at the core of the Palace system. Bringing in a goalkeeper of Guaita’s quality will go a long way in solving those problems.