This season at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace has suffered a number of critical player injuries.
Crystal Palace have had a difficult season in terms of keeping their finest players fit, and journalist Dean Jones has now revealed to GIVEMESPORT what Roy Hodgson will need to do to protect his team from slipping down the league.
Since their arrival at the club, the Eagles have mainly relied on the likes of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise to give Hodgson with an attacking threat, but the Palace two have spent a significant amount of time on the treatment table this season. A club fighting in the lower half of the Premier League is unlikely to have world-class talent throughout their whole squad, thus crucial players must stay fit.
Palace are presently 13th in the Premier League table, but they are in danger of dropping a few places due to the continued absence of some of its important players due to injuries.
Injury updates for Cheick Doucoure and Eberechi Eze
Doucoure and Eze have been two of Palace’s important players this season, and the latter has already been on the bench. Olise recently returned after missing all of Hodgson’s games this season, but the medical staff has delivered the capital club a double blow. According to The Athletic, Eze might be sidelined for up to four weeks after suffering an ankle injury against Luton Town. The England international just returned to duty after recovering from a hamstring injury. Doucoure is also poised to miss time after slipping awkwardly in the same game, resulting in an Achilles ailment that might keep him out for up to six months.
It’s been an issue for Hodgson all season, and before Palace’s game against Nottingham Forest in October, the experienced manager got out a piece of paper and listed all the players who were injured at the time…
“This is our injury list.” There are so many right now that I’m forgetting. It’s there (the list) just in case I forgot.”
Hodgson is known for his pragmatic style of play, which has served him well throughout his career, and with several important players out injured, the Palace manager may have to go back to basics in order to grind out results.
Palace intends to sign a replacement for Doucoure.
According to reports in Italy, Palace is interested in Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Ellyes Shkiri, with AC Milan also interested. Losing Doucoure for the rest of the season is a significant setback, so it’s not surprising that the Eagles prioritize a replacement.
Palace are also said to be interested in signing Celtic’s Matt O’Riley, with a proposal of around £10 million expected to entice the selling club to contemplate a move. The midfielder is a crucial player for the Scottish club, but the lure of playing in the Premier League could aid Palace’s cause.
Read also: Crystal Palace and Fulham Eyeing Return of €15M Prolific 28-Year-Old with 29 Goals Season
