Why Crystal Palace should make a move for Norwich City’s Jamal Lewis
According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Norwich City left-back Jamal Lewis in the summer transfer window.
Norwich City have endured a tough time in the Premier League following promotion last year. They are rock-bottom in the table, having won only five out of 28 games. The Sun claims that the Canaries could sell a number of players in the summer transfer window should they get relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season.
Left-back Jamal Lewis, who has made 15 starts and three substitute appearances in the Premier League, scoring one goal in the process, is valued at £20million, adds the report.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have got some momentum of late following back-to-back victories in the Premier League. They recently won the M23 derby against Brighton with Jordan Ayew scoring the winner in the second half at the Amex Stadium. The victory should give the Eagles a huge lift as we enter the business end of the 2019/20 campaign.
Roy Hodgson’s side have struggled to score goals this season, with none of Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend, Luka Milivojevic or Christian Benteke delivering the goods consistently. In fact, they have netted only 25 goals in 28 games, which is very poor considering the quality they have in the forward department.
On the other side of the pitch, however, Palace have done well. They have conceded 32 goals so far – lesser than Everton, Arsenal, Burnley, Wolves, Tottenham and Chelsea. That’s quite an achievement for Hodgson’s side, who are currently 12th in the table.
Nevertheless, the Eagles boss must add reinforcements to the squad in the summer. He must bring in a new left-back to cover and compete with Patrick van Aanholt next season. Van Aanholt, 29, has been a regular fixture in Hodgson’s side over the last couple of seasons, managing 71 appearances across all competitions. This season, the Dutchman has managed only 21 league appearances due to injury problems.
In Van Aanholt’s absence, Hodgson used Jairo Riedewald at left-back and while he performed well, Palace must recruit a natural left-back this summer. To that end, Jamal Lewis would be a good fit at Selhurst Park.
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Lewis, 22, emerged as a key figure for Norwich since his first-team breakthrough in Daniel Farke’s first season at Carrow Road. The left-back played a key role in helping the Canaries achieve promotion to the Premier League this past summer. He has endured an injury-hit top-flight campaign, limiting him to just 18 games.
Verdict
Nevertheless, the Norwich defender is only 22 years old and has a lot of room for development. Lewis has got a taste of Premier League football and that experience should certainly help him in the near future.
With Van Aanholt 29 struggling with injuries this term, Hodgson would be wise to recruit a new left-back to replace the Dutchman on the longer run. And Norwich’s Lewis could be that player for the Eagles.
