There is no getting away from the fact that this season is turning into something of a nightmare for Crystal Palace.
Sure, the Eagles started well enough, but they’ve slipped down the Premier League table over the last few months, crashed out of the FA Cup, and now face a play-off to remain in the Conference League.
Worse yet, they’ve lost Marc Guehi, Oliver Glasner has confirmed he will leave, and Jean-Philippe Mateta looks likely to leave before the window shuts.
However, it is not all doom and gloom, as on top of their interest in Jørgen Strand Larsen, Palace now look keen to land someone who could be their best signing since Adam Wharton.
Crystal Palace target their best signing since Wharton
While the loss of Guehi and the impending loss of Mateta are far from ideal, Palace have at least tried their best to bolster the squad this month.
For example, they brought in Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur, and now it looks like they are going to get their hands on Larsen.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers star scored 14 goals in 35 league games last season, so his arrival could make a real difference.
However, the club also appear intent on bringing someone else to Selhurst Park this month, someone who could end up being their best signing since Wharton.
At least that is according to a recent report from Sports Boom, which claims Palace are very interested in Charlie Cresswell.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Eagles are now ‘accelerating’ their plans to land the Englishman this month by preparing an offer of around €30m, which is about £26m.
However, other teams in France and West Ham United are also very interested in the 23-year-old and Toulouse themselves are reluctant to part ways with their star defender during the season.
It could therefore be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Cresswell’s ability and potential, it’s one Palace should fight for, especially as he could be their best signing since Wharton.
Why Cresswell could be Palace’s best signing since Wharton
Now, Palace have made some great signings since bringing Wharton in from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024.
For example, the likes of Yeremy Pino, Ismaïla Sarr and Daichi Kamada have all made a significant impact south of the river.
However, there are two significant reasons why Cresswell could end up being an even better addition, and the first is down to what the team actually need.
With Guehi now gone, the side are in dire need of another top-quality centre-back who could not only replace him immediately, but also grow into the centerpiece of that defence, as the former captain did.
Fortunately, this is where the Toulouse man comes in, as not only would he fill the gap in the squad, he could end up becoming one of the best players in it.
That might sound hyperbolic, but it’s really not, as the former Leeds United gem has already shown he has the technical and mental attributes to be just that.
For example, FOTmob ranks him in the top 2.4% of centre-backs in Ligue 1 for both aerial duels won and touches in the opposition’s penalty area, the top 6.1% for non-penalty expected goals, the top 11% for duels won and more, all per 90.
Cresswell’s FOTmob Report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
Aerial Duels Won
4.47
Top 2.4%
Touches in the Opposition’s Area
2.53
Top 2.4%
Shots
1.16
Top 4.9%
Shots on Target
0.42
Top 6.1%
Non-Penalty Expected Goals
0.12
Top 6.1%
Duels Won
6.11
Top 11%
Blocked Shots
1.21
Top 12.2%
In other words, he’s a modern ball-playing defender who also excels at the more physical, dirty side of the game.
Now, the best example of his mental strength, on top of the fact that he trusted himself to go out and make a name for himself in French football, is how he has fared with England’s youth sides.
For example, even though he didn’t wear the armband, the 23-year-old was one of the most important members of the Three Lions side that won the U21 European Championships in the summer.
During the tournament, respected analyst-turned-scout Ben Mattinson described the 23-year-old as a “proper leader at the back.”
Ultimately, it might be a difficult transfer to get over the line, but Palace should go all out to sign Cresswell this month, as he’s got the ability and mentality to be the club’s best signing since Wharton.
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