Home » Football » Bundesliga » Borussia Dortmund » West Brom » Crystal Palace to make a summer move for West Brom ace – Could he be a good signing for Hodgson?

Why Crystal Palace should go for West Brom full-back Nathan Ferguson

According to the Athletic, Crystal Palace are likely to make a summer move for West Brom defender Nathan Ferguson.

During the January window, the Evening Standard claimed Crystal Palace had agreed on a £4million deal with West Brom for Nathan Ferguson but a move to Selhurst Park fell through as the club discovered a potential issue that they felt required an operation.

Nathan Ferguson of West Bromwich Albion makes a pass whilst under pressure from Sean Maguire of Preston North End during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion at Deepdale on December 02, 2019 in Preston, England. (Getty Images)

The 19-year-old has enjoyed his breakthrough campaign at West Brom under Slaven Bilic. He has played a key role in the Championship run-in for Bilic’s side, scoring and assisting a goal each in 21 games. The full-back underwent surgery last month and is yet to return to action.

However, Ferguson’s current deal at West Brom expires this summer and he is set to become a free agent. Hence, Crystal Palace need to act swiftly and get a deal done.

Roy Hodgson has failed to bring in a replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka over the last two transfer windows. Wan-Bissaka joined Manchester United before the start of the season, leaving Hodgson with just Joel Ward and Martin Kelly as options at right-back. His exit left a huge void in Hodgson’s side this season.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Manchester United during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)
Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Manchester United during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)

Failing to replace Wan-Bissaka saw the Palace boss start the campaign with Joel Ward at right-back. Even though Ward has performed extremely well and made the right-back spot his own this season, the fact is he has endured injury problems this season and has entered his 30s.

Ward’s deputy, Martin Kelly is not a natural right-back and is most comfortable playing as a centre-back. Having said that, Hodgson should strengthen his right-back area in the summer by bringing in Nathan Ferguson. Ferguson has impressed in the Championship this season for West Brom and has shown his versatility by playing in a number of different positions across the backline.

He has played at right-back and left-back in the first-team, and also as a centre-back in the U23s, and such versatility could come handy and offer Hodgson a variety of options in his team selection next season if the veteran English manager is able to bring him to Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson. (Getty Images)
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson. (Getty Images)

Read more

The England Under-20 international would be a replacement for Wan-Bissaka while bringing competition for Ward and Patrick van Aanholt at full-back. He’ll also add depth to Hodgson’s squad.

Verdict

Palace signing Ferguson would be the acquisition of a talented prospect who could go on to have an immediate impact for Hodgson’s side, while also developing over the years.