Why Crystal Palace should make a move for Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren
According to a report from Daily Mail, Crystal Palace have joined the race to sign Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren this summer.
The Croatian, 30, is behind Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip in the pecking order at Liverpool and is about to enter the final year of his contract. He has made just 14 appearances this season so far.
The report adds that Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham are also keen on Dejan Lovren. All four clubs are said to be preparing offers for the 30-year-old centre-back as they look to compete against each other for his signature.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have been inconsistent for the best part of the 2019/20 campaign. They enjoyed a promising start and found themselves in the top six for the first few months before drifting away.
The Eagles are currently 11th in the table and had picked up some momentum of late by winning three consecutive games before the Premier League season was suspended due to coronavirus pandemic.
If Palace are to challenge for a top-six spot next season, reinforcements are required in every area of the pitch. Having struggled royally for goals, manager Roy Hodgson should prioritize signing attacking talents during the summer transfer window.
Plus, he should attempt to add depth to his central defence unit, as Gary Cahill, Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins, Scott Dann and Martin Kelly the only options available to him.
Cahill and Tomkins have been regulars at the back and Dann has been a backup to them this season. However, Sakho has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons and has played just eight league games this term. Thus, adding an experienced defender wouldn’t go amiss and Dejan Lovren would be a good fit at Selhurst Park.
Lovren will add a wealth of experience to Palace if he joins them. The Croatian international has chalked up 402 career appearances and has represented his country 57 times. He’s become a part of this dominant Reds outfit, winning the Champions League with them last season. Now in his sixth season at Anfield, he has made nine league appearances so far this season, scoring once.
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The former Southampton man would undoubtedly bolster Palace’s defence, whilst adding much-needed depth to Hodgson’s squad. Even at the age of 30, Lovren still has a lot to offer at the highest level and could be a big boost to Palace’s team. The Croat could provide stability to the Eagles backline and be a fine partner for Cahill at the back next season.
Verdict
Lovren has been an established figure at Liverpool over the years and given his volumes of experience in the Premier League, he would prove to be a valuable addition to Palace’s backline.
