Why Crystal Palace should sign Amavi even if Van Aanholt doesn’t sign new contract

According to a report by Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are in the market for two left-backs. With Patrick van Aanholt’s contract expiring in the summer, Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace are eyeing Marcos Alonso and Jordan Amavi. If the deal for Alonso does not go through, Marseille’s Amavi could be Hodgson’s alternative.

Palace are in talks with their soon-to-be out-of-contract players, which includes Van Aanholt among others. The club will hope for van Aanholt’s renewal but would look for a replacement if the player rejects a contract. (h/t Daily Mail)

Profile

Jordan Amavi spent 5 years in OGC Nice where he first broke into the senior team in 2013. After two years playing for Nice’s first-team, Aston Villa brought the player to England in 2015.

After making 48 appearances for The Villains, Amavi returned to France at Marseille. Amavi has represented France at the youth level but is yet to be capped by their senior team. (h/t transfermarkt)

The Ligue 1 signed him in 2017. Since then, the Frenchman has made over 100 appearances for the club and is now on Palace’s radar. With a dominant left foot, Amavi is a natural left-back but can play a variety of positions in defence.

Why Crystal Palace need Jordan Amavi

In the event that Patrick van Aanholt does not renew his contract at the club, Palace will urgently need a replacement for the Dutchman. His alternative at the club, 21-year-old Tyrick Mitchell, has impressed this season but is highly inexperienced at this level.

Palace’s priority target, Marco Alonso, can replicate the Dutchman’s work rate going up the field. However, the Spaniard has always been suspect at the back. Alonso’s alternative Jordan Amavi will be a step down from van Aanholt’s attacking numbers as the Frenchman has just 3 assists in his last 71 games at Marseille.

However, Amavi has been a part of Marseille’s solid defence which conceded only 29 goals in the Ligue 1 last year. Also, playing in Crystal Palace’s attacking system, Amavi will get the opportunity to bomb forward and make more attacking contributions than he is afforded at Marseille. When he is given the license to attack, Amavi can produce the goods.

Amavi is in the physical prime of his career at 26 and still has his best years ahead of him. Palace’s alternative at the moment is Tyrick Mitchell, who only made his senior football debut in December 2019.

While the youngster has impressed in Palace’s defensive efforts this season, he has only been seen as Van Aanholt’s replacement until he returned from injury.

Signing Amavi will give enough time for Mitchell to develop. With Premier League teams never short of fixtures, both players can be afforded ample game time without Palace having to sacrifice on quality. Amavi also has ample knowledge about the Premier League, spending one year with Aston Villa in the league.

Verdict

Marseille’s Jordan Amavi would suit Crystal Palace if Van Aanholt doesn’t renew his contract.

The Frenchman’s contract runs out in the summer of 2021 and Palace could get him for free. Roy Hodgson would be smart to monitor Amavi’s situation and secure his signature if Van Aanholt is to move elsewhere.