Crystal Palace Opinion: Eagles should try and beat off competition for Walter Benitez
According to GFFN, OGC Nice shot-stopper Walter Benitez has attracted interest from Premier League clubs Wolves, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, with all the sides looking to bolster their ranks in the summer transfer window.
Benitez has only 12 months left on his contract at Nice and GFFN understands that the Ligue 1 outfit are desperate to secure his long-term future, although negotiations between the club and the player have so far failed to reach a positive end.
The same source claims that Benitez, who has been amongst the best shot-stoppers in the French top-flight this season, wants to test his credentials in a tougher league to enhance his chances of making it to Argentina’s national team.
GFFN reports that the 26-year-old believes moving to the Premier League would give him a better chance of playing at the international level for his nation.
Walter Benitez has caught the eye with his impressive run of form for Nice between the sticks this season, managing an impressive 15 clean sheets from 33 appearances in Ligue 1.
The 26-year-old has conceded a ridiculously low 26 goals in Ligue 1 in the current campaign, establishing himself as an impervious rock at the back and a picture of reliability in goal.
The former Argentinian U20 international has registered a staggering 110 saves in the league this season, with 59 of those coming from inside the penalty area, including 6 from within the 6-yard box.
He boasts of an unbelievable shot-saved ratio of 81%, averaging 3.3 saves per 90 minutes. To add to that, he has successfully managed to keep out 3 penalty-kicks from 5 attempts, which pretty much lies testament to his scintillating run of form between the sticks this term.
Standing at 6ft. 3 inches with a towering frame, Benitez has just the perfect height for a goalkeeper and has proven himself as an incredible shot-stopper from all ranges.
To go with his shot-stopping abilities, Benitez is also very calm and composed in his approach between the sticks and uses his safe pair of hands to collect deliveries played into the box with authority more often than not. Furthermore, he has a good record when it comes to saving penalties.
To put things into perspective, Walter Benitez has enjoyed a wonderful season in Ligue 1 and a move to the Premier League would be the next big step in his career.
As things stand, Wolves and Newcastle United already have established and undisputed No.1s in Rui Patricio and Martin Dubravka but Crystal Palace have been forced to rotate between the likes of Wayne Hennessey and Vicente Guaita.
Hence, it is quite clear that the Eagles need an upgrade on their options between the sticks and they could do themselves a world of good by striking a deal for Benitez this summer.
Palace signed off in style with a 5-2 victory over Bournemouth on the final day of the season but they would need to make some new signings to challenge for a top-ten finish next term, having finished 12th this time around.
Hennessey was the No.1 for Roy Hodgson earlier in the season before Guiata, who joined on a free transfer last summer, replaced the Welshman in that role.
The Spaniard has impressed with his shot-stopping abilities but he has left something to be desired with his moments of indecisiveness and awkwardness when it comes to coming out of his area and collecting the crosses.
The 32-year-old has been good but Hodgson should look at Benitez as someone who could be a long-term solution at Selhurst Park. Both Hennessey and Guaita are 32 while club-legend Julian Speroni is 39, meaning that 26-year-old Benitez presents a lucrative option at a reasonable price.
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Palace should aim for better things than just settling for another mid-table finish next season, and Walter Benitez might be the one to propel the Eagles to greater heights in the Premier League.
