Go For It Roy Hodgson: Mohamed Elyounoussi Could Be A Perfect Signing For Palace
After a less than impressive start to their league campaign, Crystal Palace are slowly finding their feet in the Premier League, as new boss Roy Hodgson looks to keep their place in the top flight intact for another season. The squad at Hodgson’s disposal has decent quality and depth but the former England coach wants to add players who can add strength to particular areas of the squad.
The January transfer window will be his first shot at spending since taking over at the Selhurst Park and Hodgson’s side has constantly been linked with a number of star players recently. However, one unknown name that is exciting the fans of the club is Mohamed Elyounoussi.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are among a few clubs in England that are interested in signing the Norway U21 international Elyounoussi, who has been in superb form for Swiss top flight outfit Basel this season.
Also wanted by Southampton and Newcastle, the 23-year-old is one of the most exciting stars on show in the Swiss league and also in his country. He is slowly establishing himself as a star in Europe. He has 4 goals in 14 international appearances and has enough exposure to handle the challenges of the Premier League.
A winger by trade, Elyounoussi is a versatile attacker who can play through the middle and also as a support striker. He is known for his ability to hold up the play in the final third, where his vision allows him to create chances consistently. He has decent technique and can dribble past his man with ease on the flank. However, he is more adept at cutting inside and finding his teammates in space.
He is an excellent passer and an intelligent player who makes things happen in the final third. Though he has no experience in England, his 108 appearances in the Norwegian top flight and 49 appearances in the Swiss top-flight, where he has scored 15 goals and 23 assists, shows his quality in front of goal.
Palace have struggled to find the back of the net for most of this season, having scored just 16 goals, at just 0.8 goals per game. Christian Benteke, the first choice striker for the club, has been absent for almost a month but even after his return, Palace have failed to create enough chances, which Hodgson is desperate to solve in January.
There is talk about star winger Wilfried Zaha leaving in January and if it happens, the Basel star becomes all the more necessary for Palace. But even if he stays, Elyounoussi will add that spark to the attack that can help them beat teams around them in the points table.