Why Flynn Downes would be a good long-term signing for Crystal Palace
Towards the end of August, a report from the East Anglian Daily Times claimed that Crystal Palace had a £2million bid for highly-rated midfielder Flynn Downes turned down by Ipswich Town. The 21-year-old even handed in a transfer request at Portman Road in September to force through a move to Palace, but the Tractor Boys weren’t ready to let him leave.
The same report added that West Ham and Arsenal were also linked with the midfielder, though neither club made an official enquiry, unlike Palace.
Profile
Flynn Downes joined Ipswich Town’s youth system back in 2006 and made his mark across youth levels before putting pen to paper on a professional contract in 2017. He made his first-team debut for Ipswich on the opening day of the 2017-18 campaign, featuring 12 times across all competitions in his debut season.
The youngster featured more prominently in the following campaign, starting 21 times in the Championship as Ipswich suffered relegation to the third-tier. Downes started regularly for the Tractor Boys in League One last term but has been limited to just 3 substitute appearances from the bench in 2020-21 so far.
The defensive midfielder has made 78 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club, registering 3 goals and 4 assists in the process. Downes, who is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents to have come through Ipswich’s production line in recent times, has also represented England at U-19 and U-20 levels.
Downes would add more depth to Palace’s midfield
Crystal Palace aren’t really short of options in midfield, especially after the capture of Eberechi Eze in the summer. The former QPR man, though, has largely been utilised in a wide attacking role, meaning his arrival at Selhurst Park hasn’t had a great deal of impact on the club’s central midfield cavalry.
The Eagles currently have James MacArthur, James McCarthy, Luka Milivojevic, and Jairo Riedewald competing for places in the middle of the park. But Roy Hodgson would ideally need to reshape his options with one eye on the future given that MacArthur is already 33 and has less than 12 months remaining on his contract.
Riedewald recently grabbed his first Premier League goal for Palace in their 2-1 win away at Fulham but the Dutchman has predominantly been a peripheral figure in the set-up over the past three seasons. It’s hard to envisage him staying beyond the expiry of his current deal in 2022, with the former Ajax graduate failing to make a big impression.
With both Milivojevic and McCarthy set to turn 30 later in the campaign, Palace can bring in a talented young central midfielder as a part of their long-term plans. And making a renewed attempt to sign Flynn Downes would definitely make a lot of sense in footballing terms.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a bright start to his career at Ipswich Town, proving his credentials in the Championship and League One. Downes has also made his mark for England at the youth level, which further lies testament to his talent and potential. He might not be ready to make a big impact in the top-flight just yet but certainly has the qualities to thrive at the highest level moving forward.
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Verdict
Flynn Downes isn’t quite the finished article but at 21, he still has plenty of time to make significant improvements to his game. Considering that Palace currently have more accomplished options in the midfield, Hodgson should sign the youngster with a view to phase him into the first-team mix over the next few years.
The player himself was very much keen on a move to Selhurst Park in the summer, as evident from his decision to hand in a transfer request. That said, the Eagles should definitely go back in the market for his services.
