Why Jordan Ayew will be a fantastic buy for Crystal Palace
Sky Sports has reported that Crystal Palace are interested in signing Swansea City forward Jordan Ayew.
Ayew, 26, joined Swansea from Aston Villa in January 2017. He has two years remaining on his contract at Liberty Stadium. The Ghana international ended last season as Swansea’s top scorer with 11 goals, including seven in the Premier League. However, he was unable to save the club from relegation.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson must replace departed duo Bakary Sako and Lee Chung-Yong this summer. Palace have completed the signing of Cheikhou Kouyate from West Ham and he is their second signing of the summer. Prior to that, the Eagles had signed Spanish goalkeeper Vicente Guaita on a free transfer.
Now, Hodgson must make a move for the talented Ghana international Jordan Ayew, who looks set to follow his elder brother Andre Ayew, after the latter’s transfer move from Swansea City to Fenerbahce.
A move to Palace would be perfect for Ayew to revitalize his performances following a disappointing season in South Wales. Despite Swansea’s relegation, Ayew enjoyed a successful individual campaign.
The 26-year-old forward has also garnered plenty of international experience, having made 47 appearances for the Ghana national team, during which he found the back of the net on 12 occasions. Although Ayew is far from prolific, he would offer greater strength in depth.
The Ghanaian has boundless energy to run around the entire game without getting tired. He is quick, sprightly and direct while attacking. Furthermore, his Premier League experience could make him a resourceful option at Selhurst Park. Ayew’s versatility should come in handy for Hodgson, considering he can play anywhere across the front line and even as an attacking midfielder.
Ayew featured regularly as a centre-forward for Lorient in France, but when playing for his country, he often features behind the strikers. He excels at holding and carrying the ball, running at the opposition with pace and is also capable of playing with his back to the goal. Also, the former Marseille man is adept with both feet.
The presence of players like Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend and Jason Puncheon would certainly help Ayew at Palace. As far as the club’s strikers are concerned, Christian Benteke and Alexander Sorloth failed to do much to impress while Bakary Sako is no more a part of the club.
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Hence, Hodgson must bolster his attacking arsenal with a player like Ayew, who is entering the best years of his career and has plenty of top-level experience under his belt. In fact, he has all the tools required to make an immediate impact this season.
