Why Crystal Palace must go all out to sign Hatem Ben Arfa for free
Crystal Palace fans enjoyed a good summer transfer window. The Selhurst Park side signed the likes of Cheikhou Kouyaté, Max Meyer, Vincent Guaita and Jordan Ayew. Furthermore, Palace also managed to hold onto star player and talisman Wilfried Zaha.
However, manager Roy Hodgson has his job cut out for him following an indifferent start to the season. Palace are currently 10th after a win and two losses, scoring thrice and conceding four goals.
Palace spent most of last season in the relegation spots. The Eagles must avoid a repeat of the same this season and to that end, Hodgson should consider signing Hatem Ben Arfa to offer competition for the positions out wide. The notorious attacker is a free agent after quitting Paris Saint-Germain this summer. Ben Arfa would add experience, depth and a different dimension as a no-risk signing.
It would be the Frenchman’s second spell in England, following a four-year stint at St. James Park. Provided Hodgson signs him, he could operate as cover for Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend. The 31-year-old’s pace, dribbling and trickery could do a world of good to a forward line that includes a misfiring Christian Benteke. Ben Arfa can play as a centre-forward, a central attacking midfielder and as a right-winger.
The immensely talented footballer has failed to achieve his full potential so far. Perhaps Hodgson could be the man to extract the best out of him as he heads into the backend of a disappointing career at the top level. The 71-year-old manager must aim to get Ben Arfa to repeat his 2015/16 heroics at Nice.
During that time, he scored a career-best 17 goals in 34 games. As far as Palace are concerned, doing so could make all the difference between scrapping in a relegation fight and pushing for European qualification spots.
The south London side are a work in progress. However, like Leicester and Burnley have proven, having a blueprint and following it religiously can see any side through to play in Europe. To do so, Crystal Palace need goals. Benteke is heavily reliant on aerial balls and hence, having a reliable winger or midfielder to make runs into opposition boxes would help the Eagles bag a couple more goals and points.
Although he has failed to establish himself as a truly world-class player, Ben Arfa is a serial winner. He has had trophy-laden stints at Lyon, Marseille and recently PSG. Considering this could be his last shot at redeeming his career, he could bring something different for the Eagles.
For Palace, he is simply a no-brainer. No huge capital outlay required with little financial risk and yet, they will receive a talented and experienced player.
If Palace went for Max Meyer, is there any reason why they can’t repeat the trick again and go for Hatem Ben Arfa? He could be the last piece of Roy Hodgson’s jigsaw at Palace.
