Why Crystal Palace should take a punt on Lyle Taylor in January
Back in May, a report from Football.London had mentioned Crystal Palace among the potential suitors for Lyle Taylor, who was plying his trade with Charlton Athletic back then.
As per the source, Burnley, Bournemouth, Preston North End, Middlesbrough and Scottish giants Rangers were also interested in signing the 30-year-old. However, despite widespread interest from the top-flight, the striker ended up joining Nottingham Forest in the Championship.
Profile
Taylor featured for Millwall, Bournemouth, Hereford United, Sheffield United and AFC Wimbledon in the Football League earlier in his career. He joined Charlton Athletic in 2018 and went on to enjoy a stunning debut season at the Valley, scoring 21 goals in 41 appearances in League One to propel the Addicks to promotion.
The Greenwich-born hitman made an instant impact in his first-ever season in the Championship last term. Taylor’s progress was stunted by an injury but he finished the campaign with an impressive tally of 11 goals in 22 league appearances for Charlton, nevertheless.
That wasn’t enough to keep the Addicks in the second-tier but Taylor’s exploits were enough to prompt Nottingham Forest to offer the striker an escape route. However, the 30-year-old has struggled to replicate his prolific form at the City Ground, scoring just 4 times in 20 league appearances for the Reds so far this season.
Taylor would be a useful signing for Crystal Palace
Palace making a renewed attempt to sign Lyle Taylor next month would add some extra firepower to their ranks. Taylor has struggled to hit top gear at Nottingham Forest but his impressive returns for Charlton Athletic in the Championship should prompt the Eagles to take a punt on him.
Jordan Ayew has suffered a significant dip in form this season after finishing the 2019-20 campaign as the club’s top-scorer in the Premier League with 9 goals. The Ghanaian has scored just once in 11 appearances so far, prompting Hodgson to hand Christian Benteke more game time.
Benteke has grabbed his opportunities with both hands alongside the in-form Wilfried Zaha, rolling back the years with some crucial goals in recent weeks.
However, with the Belgian’s contract set to expire next summer and Michy Batshuayi expected to return to Chelsea following the expiry of his loan spell, Palace could have a potential replacement on their hands in the form of Lyle Tylor. The Nottingham Forest star looks more than capable of thriving in the top-flight and still has a lot to offer at 30.
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Verdict
Crystal Palace need to reshape their forward line with an eye on the future. While Taylor might not fit the bill as a long-term option at 30, the Eagles should be hopeful of getting at least two or three good seasons out of the striker in the Premier League. Having said that, they should definitely swoop for the Championship marksman.
