Why Crystal Palace should make a move for Max Clark
According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are weighing up a swoop for former Hull City left-back Max Clark, who currently plies his trade with Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch Eredivisie.
As per the report, the Eagles are on the lookout for a new left-back amid the uncertain future of Patrick van Aanholt, who is currently out injured and has less than 12 months remaining on his current deal at Selhurst Park.
Profile
Max Clark rose through the youth ranks of Hull City and went through a couple of loan spells at Cambridge United in League Two before making his senior debut for the Tigers in the 2017-18 season.
The highly-rated left-back made 27 appearances for Hull City in the Championship during his only full season at the club before completing a permanent move to Vitesse Arnhem in the summer of 2018.
Clark has since established himself as one of the best defenders in his position in the Dutch top-flight, accumulating 3 goals and 7 assists in 57 appearances for Vitesse in all competitions. The 24-year-old represented England at U-17 and U-18 international levels earlier in his career.
Clark could a good long-term investment for Palace
Crystal Palace have enjoyed a fruitful transfer window so far, with the Eagles bringing in some quality reinforcements at both ends of the pitch. Highly-rated right-back Nathan Ferguson arrived on a free transfer from West Brom earlier in the summer while dazzling playmaker Eberechi Eze and Michy Batshuayi (loan) have been roped in to add more creativity and goals to the forward line.
However, there are still a few areas in the squad that require some investment before next month’s deadline and the left-back department is certainly one of them. Patrick van Aanholt has been the club’s undisputed first-choice option in that role over the past few years but the Dutch international has been out of action for the past few months due to a shoulder injury.
Academy graduate Tyrick Mitchell has done a credible job at left-back in Van Aanholt’s absence while Jeffrey Schlupp is also capable of playing in that position. However, with Van Aanholt’s long-term future at the club very much up the air (he is out of contract in 2021) Palace need to look for a young and promising option as a long-term solution in that department.
Max Clark, to that end, ticks several boxes to come through the door at Selhurst Park as an ideal addition to strengthen Palace’s defensive ranks. The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the best attacking full-backs in the Netherlands, and it will be interesting to see him form a partnership with someone like Nathan Ferguson on the right.
Clarke hasn’t played in the Premier League before but his previous experience in the EFL Championship should make it easier for him to make the step up to the English top-flight. That, coupled with the fact that he’s just 24, means Clarke would be an excellent signing for Palace, not only for the present but for several years moving forward.
Read more
- Why Jordon Ibe could be a smart signing for Crystal Palace
- Why Crystal Palace should complete a loan move for Conor Gallagher
Verdict
Suffice to say, Crystal Palace need to start looking for a young and talented left-back to replace Van Aanholt if he’s not going to sign an extension to his current deal at Selhurst Park.
Max Clark is someone who fits that profile perfectly. The 24-year-old has less than a year left to run on his contract at Vitesse, so the Eagles should definitely fancy their chances of nabbing the former Hull City graduate on the cheap.