Why signing Cheikhou Kouyate and Michail Antonio could be an incredible move for Crystal Palace
According to Sky Sports, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Cheikhou Kouyate from West Ham United. To do so, the Eagles must see off interest from Portuguese side FC Porto.
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has already brought in 7 new players but he could still make more signings before the window closes. However, Pellegrini will need to raise funds through player sales. The club are willing to listen to offers for both Kouyate and Michail Antonio, before the deadline on August 9th.
With that in mind, here’s why a double swoop for the duo could be excellent business for Crystal Palace.
Kouyate has returned to training with the Hammers after representing Senegal at the World Cup. He made three appearances, starting once, as the Teranga Lions were harshly eliminated on the fair play rule. Both Kouyate and Antonio have three years left on their current deals at London Stadium.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson must bolster his ranks. The Selhurst Park side has seen a raft of departures, most notably those of Yohan Cabaye, Bakary Sako, Damien Delaney. To make matters worse, Ruben Loftus-Cheek has returned to parent club, Chelsea.
The midfield is Palace’s weak point and both Kouyate and Antonio could slot into the middle of the park.
Both players are versatile enough to offer a range of options if need be. Antonio can play as a forward, a right-back, on the right-wing, as an attacking midfielder and as a defensive midfielder. Kouyate, a central midfielder by trade, can play as an attacking midfielder, a defensive midfielder and as a centre-back.
Last season, Kouyate made 32 starts and a single cameo in a total of 33 Premier League appearances. The Senegalese international scored twice, providing 3 assists in the process. The 28-year-old is dominant in the air, winning an average of 3.7 aerial duels per game last season.
Antonio made 21 Premier League appearances last term, making 16 starts. He scored 2 goals and assisted once. Although he played the least number of Premier League games since joining West Ham, his performances were enough to earn him a call-up to the England set-up under Gareth Southgate.
However, Antonio had to withdraw after picking up a hamstring injury. A serious of injuries also saw him register the least number of goals ever in his West Ham career so far.
At 28 years of age, both players still have plenty to offer. They will not only add to Hodgson’s squad depth but will also provide stability and offer a different dimension. If Crystal Palace are to avoid a relegation battle, they should raid London Stadium for the talented duo.
