Why Jordon Ibe would be a smart signing for Crystal Palace

According to The Telegraph (h/t Daily Echo), Jordon Ibe has emerged as an option for Crystal Palace in the list of potential transfers this month.

Ibe, 24, burst onto the scene in 2011 when he made his debut for Wycombe Wanderers. He was snapped up by Liverpool five months later and was sent on loan to Birmingham and Derby before he secured his first goal for the Reds.

He seemed to have established himself before the appointment of Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager but later struggled to find first-team opportunities under the German tactician. He then moved to Bournemouth for £13m in the summer of 2016.

In his first three seasons at the South coast, he was a regular member in the squad under Eddie Howe, playing week in and out for the Cherries. But this season, he has fallen down the pecking order at the Vitality Stadium.

Despite Cherries’ lengthy injury list, the former Liverpool man has not featured for the first-team since the game against Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup in September. And Ibe could be available for a cheap deal this month, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the Eagles are in a decent position in the table despite less firepower from their attackers. They have managed to score just 20 goals in 22 league games, which is a very low tally.

Jordan Ayew leads their goalscoring chart with 6 league goals to his name, whereas other forwards including Wilfried Zaha, Connor Wickham and Christian Benteke have managed a total of only 4 so far.

This clearly shows their lack of consistency in making productive attacks and with games coming thick and fast, Palace boss Roy Hodgson has to reinforce the squad with suitable options. The main concern for them has been the attacking unit, which has failed to deliver on many occasions.

The London-based club need to improve their squad depth if they want to fight for a place in the top six, which could help them play in European competitions next season. And to do this they need to be scoring at a healthy rate.

Thus, it would be wise of the manager to add depth to his squad by having proper backup options. In that case, Bournemouth’s Jordon Ibe should be given a chance despite lacking game time at the Vitality Stadium.

Though Ibe has not lived up to the expectations of the Premier League, he can still be a better backup in Hodgson’s side. Predominantly a winger, he is also capable of playing behind the striker and this could be of much help to the Eagles.

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Verdict

The 24-year-old is capable of performing at a higher level if he is given the right opportunities.

Ibe has all the qualities to succeed in the Premier League if he is used in the right way. Therefore, Hodgson must lure him to Selhurst Park and give him the much-needed break, which in turn could prove to be worthy for the club.