Why Crystal Palace should take a punt on Yannick Carrasco

According to Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are in talks with Chinese club Dalian Yifang over a potential loan deal for Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco.

However, as per the report, Dalian Yifang are more interested in cashing in on the 26-year-old, whose contract with the Chinese club expires in 2022. The main stumbling block for Palace would be the Belgian’s staggering wages of £180,000-a-week.

Carrasco, who departed Wanda Metropolitano back in February 2018 to join Dalian Yifang, has plundered 24 goals and 17 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions for the Chinese outfit but the Belgian is understood to be keen on a return to Europe. (h/t Daily Mail)

A youth exponent of Belgian club Genk, Carrasco joined Monaco back in 2010 and clocked up over 100 appearances for the French club before earning a move to Atletico, where he played in the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid. 

The 26-year-old, who has been capped 41 times by Belgium at the senior international level, represented his nation at UEFA Euro 2016 and was also an integral part of the squad that finished third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, featuring as a left wing-back under Robert Martinez.

Essentially a left-winger by trade, Carrasco is also capable of playing out wide on the right-hand side of the pitch.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are in dire need of some attacking reinforcements before the January deadline, having scored just 22 goals in 24 games in the Premier League so far. 

Cenk Tosun, who has been roped in from Everton on loan, made an instant impact with a goal in the 2-2 draw against Man City but with several others struggling to live up to the expectations, Palace’s lack of cutting-edge and creativity in the final third continues to be a cause of concern.

Jordan Ayew is currently the top scorer for the South Londoners with 6 goals in 23 games but Hodgson needs more depth in the wide attacking positions, with Wilfried Zaha continuing to struggle for goals and the likes of Townsend and Jeffrey Schlupp on the treatment table.

While stability at the back remains a key strength for Palace, the South Londoners need more goals heading into the final quarter of the campaign.

Verdict

Carrasco, who boasts of considerable experience at the highest level with Atletico Madrid and Monaco, is capable of being the man to inject some much-needed quality and X-Factor into a rather tame-looking forward line at Selhurst Park.

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• Why Crystal Palace must cut short Victor Camarasa’s loan deal

Having said that, Crystal Palace should leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of Yannick Carrasco before the January deadline.