Why Falaye Sacko would be a good fit at Crystal Palace
According to Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Vitoria Guimaraes defender Falaye Sacko in the summer.
Sacko, 25, started out with JS Centre Salif Keita in his homeland Mali and played for several clubs in Mali and Hungary before joining the Portuguese outfit in January 2016. Though he struggled for game time in his first season with Vitoria, he has established himself as a key member of the club.
The Malian has been impressive in the last two seasons and has attracted a lot of interest. The report also suggests that West Ham and French outfit Rennes are interested in securing his services this summer. Thus, Palace should make a swift move for the right-back.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have endured a mixed campaign so far. With 10 wins and the same number of losses, Roy Hodgson’s side currently sit in the 11th position in the league. However, with 3 wins in the last three league games, they seem to confident of finishing the season in a respectable position.
For the next season, however, there needs to be changes to be made by the manager. They have struggled for goals this term, managing to score just 26 goals so far. And it is clear that the manager should bring in reinforcements to their attacking unit
Sacko would add depth at right-back
The Eagles have done a decent job in terms of defending. They have conceded just 32 goals so far which is a better record than those of Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea’s. However, they do lack requisite depth in the right-back department, after having sold Aaron Wan-Bissaka last summer.
Palace have Joel Ward and Martin Kelly as the two options for the slot. However, neither have been consistent enough over the course of the campaign. Furthermore, both the defenders are 30 years old and their contracts expire in a year. Thus, the Eagles need to add a younger, long-term option at the right-back position this summer.
In that regard, signing Sacko would be a smart move by the Eagles. Though he had struggled with injuries earlier this season, he has continued to be the first-choice under Ivo Vieira. The right-back has featured in 16 games this term, racking up 3 assists so far.
In comparison, Ward has no assists this term, while Kelly has just one, showing that Sacko would be an upgrade in the attacking sense. He has the ability to develop and under the right guidance and would be a valuable addition to Hodgson’s squad.
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Verdict
Signing a young and in-form defender would be a wise decision for Palace, considering that both their right-backs are into their thirties and have just a year left on their contracts. And Sacko would definitely add depth to the squad.
The Malian has been in good form for the Portuguese outfit over the past two seasons and would prove to be a fine acquisition for the Eagles if he is able to keep up the good form. Thus, Palace should lure him to Selhurst Park this summer.
