Why Ozan Tufan would be a smart signing for Crystal Palace

Back in November 2018, the Football London had claimed Crystal Palace were considering signing Fenerbahce star Ozan Tufan during the January transfer window. However, a deal didn’t go through and he instead joined Alanyaspor on loan until the end of the season.

Ozan Tufan, 24, stood out for Alanyaspor from the rest, impressive with his solid displays. He returned to Fenerbahce at the end of last season and the midfielder has since started every game so far in 2019/20, captaining two games in the process.

Recently, Crystal Palace had sent scouts to watch Ozan Tufan, who could be offered a new contract from Fenerbahce following his excellent performances this season. Nevertheless, Crystal Palace must go all out to sign the Turkish midfielder in January.

The Eagles have made a good start to the new Premier League and entered the international break with a 2-1 success over London rivals West Ham.

Their creativity is mainly reliant on their wide players, especially on the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend. Creativity from the middle of the park is an area of serious weakness for Palace and that would make Tufan an ideal fit.

Max Meyer was expected to have more of an attacking influence when Palace signed him from Schalke on a free transfer last summer, but he has failed to live up to the lofty expectations at Selhurst Park. That’s where Tufan could play a big role in solving the Eagles’ creativity problems.

Tufan is a rising star of Turkish football. He is very highly rated in his homeland and has represented the Turkish national team 45 times already. The 24-year-old is a versatile defensive midfielder who is also capable of playing at right-back.

The Turkish international is a very good and talented player, whose versatility is a boon and he could transform Palace’s midfield.

With Hodgson’s side lacking depth at right-back following the departure of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United, Tufan is arguably needed more than ever at Selhurst Park.

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Tenacious in the tackle and a composed passer of the ball, the former Bursaspor man could take the Premier League by storm.

Verdict

Tufan, at just 24, has his best years ahead of him and looks like the sort of influential player who could help Crystal Palace break into the top eight this season. Hence, Hodgson should do everything in his powers to land the 24-year-old in south London during the winter transfer window.