"Isn't necessarily a Roy player" - The CPFC target who could cause "altering in our system"

Sam Hesketh, of the Back of the Nest podcast (March 12^th, 09:50), does not believe that Michy Batshuayi is the kind of player who would slot straight into their starting XI if he signed for the club.

What’s he said?

The Sun cites reports stating that Palace are interested in a summer swoop for the Belgium international.

Batshuayi has made just one Premier League start this season, though he has managed to score six goals in all competitions, including three in the EFL Cup across two starts, including a strike against Manchester United.

Batshuayi has spent time on loan at Palace previously, scoring six goals in 13 games in 2019.

Calling all Eagles fans: Can you get 90% on this quickfire Palace quiz?

But both Hesketh and his partner on the podcast, Terence, believe that any move for him would require a change in the club’s system for manager Roy Hodgson.

He said: “I think Michy isn’t necessarily a Roy player, but he seemed to do quite well with us when he was here with us the four or five months he was.

“And actually he linked up pretty well with (Andre) Ayew, and (Christian) Benteke and Wilfred (Zaha). It’s one of those things where you say well, he scores goals but doesn’t offer much to the team other than that.

“But at the same time, if you’ve got an in-form Benteke, an in-form Ayew, Wilf playing around him, do we necessarily need him to do as much as a (Cenk) Tosun?”

Terence said: “I think if we signed him permanently, there’d be an altering in our system to try and fit him in a lot more than we did when we only had him on loan.

“So if we’re putting an investment in for three years, it’d probably be more build it around him in that sense.”

Needs to be the focal point

Terence’s point is a good one.

If Palace put money into Batshuayi, they would have more of an investment in him coming good, instead of merely hoping he will score a couple across a loan spell.

And it really does appear that he needs a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Batshuayi is 26 and is approaching his peak as a striker, but he simply isn’t getting a look-in in the top-flight; he has played a maximum of 68 minutes, and primarily come on as a late substitute under manager Frank Lampard.

Bringing him in, provided Palace had a plan for him, would be an intelligent move for the Eagles provided he is available at a decent price. Transfermarkt value him at £19.8m.

A deal at a price of that kind would allow Palace to sign a player champing at the bit to prove his worth in the top-flight, and potentially allow for them to retool their attack for the 2020/21 season.

Meanwhile, one man has showed why giving Roy Hodgson a new contract was a mistake!