Why Nathan Ferguson would be a good addition to Crystal Palace ranks

According to a report from the Sun, Crystal Palace are monitoring the progress of West Brom defender Nathan Ferguson ahead of a potential move for the 18-year-old in the January transfer window.

Nathan Ferguson only recently became a first-team regular for West Brom, but it’s clear he’s been fast-tracked into the senior side due to his immense potential.

He made his senior debut for Slaven Bilic’s side in their 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the season and has made seven league appearances so far this season, impressing on both the right and left-hand sides of the Baggies’ defence.

Now it looks that those performances have caught the eye, with Crystal Palace having twice watched the teenager this season and are preparing a January swoop.

After selling Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United during in summer, the Eagles scoured the market to sign his replacement. In the end, they failed to sign one and Roy Hodgson has started the new campaign with Joel Ward and Martin Kelly as right-back options.

Neither Ward nor Kelly have the quality to start games week in and week out in the Premier League.

So, a new right-back is an absolute necessity for Hodgson and it is a big thing that the south Londoners have viewed Nathan Ferguson as a potential successor for Wan-Bissaka at Selhurst Park.

A product of the West Brom academy, Ferguson has mightily benefited from Slaven Bilic’s arrival at the Hawthorns as the Croatian manager has shown immense faith and allowed him to play his game without any pressure.

It is difficult for youngsters to get into the first-team and quickly make an impact, but the 18-year-old has done and deserves all the plaudits.

The Birmingham-born starlet has predominantly played in his more natural position of right-back. But he has also featured on the opposite flank on a couple of occasions for West Brom. That shows he is versatile and such a thing could come handy for Hodgson’s side.

Ferguson is talented and confident with huge potential, and he looks a player who could make the step up from the Championship to the Premier League.

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Ferguson has had a fantastic start to the season but he is yet to prove himself defensively. He is just 18 and has the entire career of him, so there’s plenty of time for him to iron out the flaws in his game.

Verdict

It remains to be seen whether West Brom agrees on to sell Ferguson in January, yet Palace must not hesitate to lodge a bid for the talented full-back.