Why Crystal Palace should snap up Dedryck Boyata in the summer?
Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata is out of contract at the end of the season and potentially will be available as a free agent in the summer.
The Belgian international, 27, wanted to leave Celtic in the summer transfer window and tried to force through an exit by refusing to play for the Scottish champions. However, the Hoops refused to change their stance and the 27-year-old centre-back ended up staying at Celtic Park.
But given that Dedryck Boyata will be out of contract at the end of the 2018/19 campaign, Crystal Palace must snap up the Belgian for absolutely free.
Crystal Palace have been hugely inconsistent this season and sit 14th on the Premier League table with 30 points from 27 games. The Eagles, however, have gained some momentum of late as Roy Hodgson aims to finish in the top-10.
The south Londoners play an exciting brand with full-backs bombing up and down the flanks. They have a lot of quality in the attacking ranks, with the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend and Jeffrey Schlupp capable of changing the course of a game in one blink of an eye.
But the same cannot be said about the options Hodgson has in his defence. Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins may have built a strong partnership at the back but that hasn’t stopped Crystal Palace from conceding goals almost in every game. Scott Dann returned to the team earlier this year after recovering from nasty knee injury, while Martin Kelly has played just five league games this season.
Looking at the defensive options, there is a lot of room for improvement and Hodgson should add quality as well as depth to his squad by signing Dedryck Boyata. Boyata has been on Celtic’s books since 2015, having joined from Manchester City. He played an instrumental role for the Hoops in achieving the double treble last season.
A strong, physical and no-nonsense defender, the Belgium international is also good with the ball at his feet. He is a leader on and off the pitch, and his experience and the know-how would prove to be invaluable to Palace. He is quite fast and agile for a defender of his stature and often tends to create a chance or two by launching attacks from the back.
Boyata is one of those players who shows great levels of commitment on the pitch and always gives his hundred per cent for the team. At 28, the Belgian has entered his prime and his natural leadership qualities are something that the Eagles could definitely do with.
On a free transfer in summer, Boyata would represent a massive coup for Hodgson’s Crystal Palace.
