Middlesbrough Opinion: Jason Puncheon can be a wonderful signing for Tony Pulis
According to the Hartlepool Mail, Middlesbrough are set to reignite their interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Jason Puncheon this summer, with the 32-year-old set to head for the exit door at Selhurst Park come the end of the season.
Middlesbrough were linked heavily with the versatile midfielder last summer but Puncheon turned down a move and expressed his desire to fight for his place at Palace (h/t Hartlepool Mail). However, the veteran made just 5 substitute Premier League appearances for the Eagles in the first half of the season before joining Huddersfield Town on loan in January.
Puncheon made 6 appearances for the Terriers in the Premier League, as Jan Siewert’s side finished rock-bottom in the standings. It is quite apparent that the 32-year-old doesn’t have a future at Palace after spending six seasons at Selhurst Park and his potential availability in a cut-price deal has alerted Middlesbrough, who are believed to hold a long-standing interest in the midfielder.
Puncheon, who made his move to Crystal Palace from Southampton back in the summer of 2013, has made a total of 169 appearances for the Eagles in all competitions, contributing with 16 goals and 22 assists. He was a regular starter for his hometown club until the 2016-17 campaign before falling out of favour last season.
To put things into perspective, Jason Puncheon has carved out a big reputation for himself as a useful player for a mid-table side in the Premier League, but at 32, the time has come for him to drop down a division. Its true that he hasn;t got the legs any longer to make an impact in the Premier League but he still has plenty of gas left in his tank to be a wonderful signing for a promotion-chasing club in the Championship.
Hartlepool Mail reports that Middlesbrough are looking to cut their costs after missing out on promotion this season. Loanees Jordan Hugill and Mo Besic have returned to their parent clubs West Ham and Everton respectively and Boro are unlikely to trigger the buy clause in the loan deals, as they aim to trim their wage bills and balance their books.
Senior players like Stewart Downing and John Obi Mikel are also out of contract before the next season, while star striker Britt Assombalonga has been lined with a move elsewhere. With the futures of so many players up on the air, it looks as if a big squad overhaul at the Riverside Stadium is around the corner.
Middlesbrough are likely to look at bargain deals and free-agents in the transfer market this summer and Jason Puncheon certainly fits the bill. The 32-year-old is primarily a central attacking midfielder by trade but he is equally capable of playing in a withdrawn role in the middle of the park, as well as on either flank due to his good crossing ability. A hardworking and tenacious midfielder with a penchant for creating chances in the final third, Puncheon can help Boro improve massively next season.
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Having fallen short of a playoff spot this season, Boro desperately need to mount a better challenge for promotion next term and Tony Pulis can pull off a masterstroke by bringing Puncheon to the Riverside Stadium in a cut-price deal.
