Crystal Palace’s negative run of form last season was well documented. The Eagles endured a 14-match winless run between Boxing Day and mid-April that saw them drop from dark horses for a European finish to relegation candidates. While they eventually pulled out of the tailspin, a 15th-placed finish left plenty of room for improvement. Indeed, ending the campaign just five points above the relegation zone was hardly ideal for Alan Pardew's side and it’s fair to say the board will demand a much stronger showing this coming season.
It’s not as though the Eagles boss hasn’t been backed in the market this summer either. Steve Mandanda is an upgrade on both Wayne Hennessey and Alex McCarthy, who has left for Saints. James Tomkins also arrives to swell the defensive ranks and while he may play at right-back upon his return to fitness, that would allow for Pardew to resist the temptation to field the erratic Pape Souare, with the more consistent Joel Ward featuring at left-back in his stead.
The main improvements, however, are expected to come in the final third. Palace’s striking woes were clear to see last season. Their top goalscorers were Connor Wickham, Scott Dann, Yannick Bolasie and Yohan Cabaye, all with five goals each. When considering Bolasie is expected to leave for Everton, three of Cabaye’s five goals were from the penalty spot and that Dann is a centre-back, it makes for grim reading.
Indeed, only relegated Aston Villa (27) and West Brom (34) scored fewer Premier League goals than Palace (39) last season. A revamp in attack has been crucial this summer as Palace aim for a more sustained quest for European football. While the only offensive reinforcement comes in Andros Townsend, reports continue to link Christian Benteke with a club-record switch to Selhurst Park. The Belgium international’s time at Liverpool is coming to an end after only a solitary year at Anfield, this coming despite he netting nine league goals last season, a return bettered only by Roberto Firmino (10) of all Liverpool players.
However, Benteke simply doesn’t fit the mould of player Jurgen Klopp craves, with the 25-year-old not carrying out the necessary high-intensity approach that the German demands and, as a result, he’s being allowed to move on to pastures new. For Palace, however, Benteke would undeniably thrive. In Pardew’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, the fluidity in the final third is provided by the attacking three behind the sole frontman.
He, though, lacked the consistent striker required to pile in the goals. Emmanuel Adebayor netted just one league goal following his January arrival, while Dwight Gayle - who has since been sold to Newcastle - bagged just three goals. In 612 league minutes between them, Marouane Chamakh and Fraizer Campbell failed to hit the back of the net. With Wickham routinely struggling for form and fitness, a move for Benteke makes perfect sense, particularly if he can quickly strike up an understanding with his offensive teammates.
In Zaha and Townsend, Pardew has at his disposal two rapid wideman, both of who are capable to breaking down the flanks at speed. Indeed, Zaha averaged the most dribbles per game (3.7) in the Premier League last season, while Townsend was second for dribbles per game (2.1) of all Newcastle players last term. In the pair, and the injured Bakary Sako, Pardew has sufficient wide options to utilise, despite the potential sale of Bolasie. The main issue here, however, is which flank to start the duo on.
Both Zaha and Townsend favour starting on the right wing, the former looking more to get to the byline to put the ball into the box, while the latter prefers to cut inside onto his left foot and shoot. Pardew now has something of a selection headache to contend with over his starting wings. With Zaha on the right and Townsend on the left, the pair would likely break down their respective flank before putting the ball into the box. While this benefits Zaha, Townsend is much better suited cutting inside to go for goal.
Conversely, Pardew could start Zaha on the left and Townsend on the right and have both drifting infield, but then this would limit space in the middle of the park and, at times, result in attacks breaking down. Furthermore, with Jason Puncheon largely operating in the number 10 role, his creative qualities would be minimised should Pardew demand his wingers cut inside. With two speedy wingers bursting down the flanks, Puncheon could then utilise his vision to play the pair in to put balls into the box. In this instance, Benteke would excel. The Belgian, as mentioned, is a more suitable striker when crosses are put into the box for him to utilise his power in the air to either go for goal or create for teammates.
Palace attempted more crosses from open play (767) than any other team in the Premier League last season, with the Eagles routinely putting the ball into the box. Evidently a striker strong in the air is crucial in that regard, with their club-record pursuit of Benteke suggesting Pardew will adopt a familiar approach for the coming campaign. Even with the rumoured sale of Bolaise, Palace’s attack would be stronger for the DR-Congo's exit provided the funds raised go towards the acquisition of Benteke.
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