Welcome to Overtime’s Winter Transfer Solutions for the 2022 January transfer window. Our club reporters will use the latest statistics to suggest two key players each club should break the bank for. Finlay Webb looks at Crystal Palace below.
KENNY TETE, RIGHT-BACK, FULHAM
After an entertaining start to the Vieira era at Selhurst Park, it is clear to see the philosophy that he has implemented within the squad, but with room for improvement, signings are needed to boost the team, to match the playing style. I have identified two players who we could see come into the Crystal Palace side and flourish in the Vieira system.
Another player that has the capability to flourish in Palace’s system is another player from the Championship in Fulham’s Kenny Tete. The Dutch international has a season of Premier League experience to his name and would be a good addition to fill the attacking void down Palace’s right-hand side. Patrick Vieira will be demanding an attacking minded right back to allow Tyrick Mitchell to focus on his defending strengths on the opposite flank and Kenny Tete could be the man to replace Palace’s longest serving player, Joel Ward.
Last season, Tete created almost four times more chances per game in comparison to Ward. Attempting and completing more crosses per game, a critical stat when the Eagles have Christian Benteke in the side. The Dutchman also possesses far more of a danger down the right side, winning over double of the fouls as Ward won per game and taking on more shots per game.
The increased attacking output will be influential to Vieira’s side as an overlapping full back will allow Palace’s young bright prospect Michael Olise to cut inside onto his stronger left foot, summarily to the way we saw the strengths he possesses in the FA Cup against Millwall. Kenny Tete could be the missing piece in Palace’s dangerous wing play.
Embed from Getty ImagesPHILLIP BILLING, MIDFIELDER, BOURNEMOUTH
With Cheikhou Kouyate only getting older and out of contract in the summer and skipper Luka Milivojevic struggling to regain his form, Palace must look to sign a physical defensive minded midfielder and I believe that Bournemouth’s Philip Billing is exactly what the Eagles need.
When comparing stats from the last season that the two midfielders were in the same division, Billing trumps Milivojevic in defensive stats with the upper hand of blocks, clearances and interceptions in comparison to the Serbian international. The Bournemouth midfielder also has an attacking presence, one which Palace desperately lack without Kouyate in the side, with the Danish international having an advantage in both ground duels and ariel dual success rate over the Palace captain.
As of late, Milivojevic has become a liability in the Palace side and despite Billing making more tackles, Milivojevic conceded more fouls and had the lower tackle success rate in comparison to Philip Billing. This highlights the defensive frailties that the Palace midfield possesses with the Serbian international in the side and Bournemouth’s Philip Billing could be the big physical defensive midfielder that Vieira needs.
Embed from Getty Images
