This year has seen Crystal Palace emerge as potential contenders for a place in Europe next season. Alan Pardew since taking over last season has proved a fantastic success for the club and they now look a dangerous and established force amongst the Premier League. The addition of Yohan Cabaye during the summer was a signal of intent from Pardew and the club, to get a player of his calibre. The pace and quality they possess in the final third is top quality, with Bolasie, Zaha, Puncheon and Sako, in these four players they have all got pace and strength to pose a threat to the opposition. The biggest concern for the club is the main striker. The clubs top goal scorer in the league this season is Yohan Cabaye with five goals; this is a concern for Pardew especially with their current run of five games without a win and also five games without scoring a goal. Connor Wickham, Dwight Gayle and Frazier Campbell just do not have that quality to really score the goals they need, this is an area that Alan Pardew will need to address this January to progress forward with their season. Finding prolific strikers that could be available may be hard for the club and they might find themselves having to pay over the top to solve this problem.
Emmanuel Adebayor
The Togo striker has been linked with a move to Selhurst Park recently and would look to be a good fit with the squad. Adebayor wouldn’t command a transfer fee as he is a free agent currently, though he has been known to command a hefty wage. The element of risk in signing Adebayor could possibly put Pardew of pursuing the former Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City striker, as he has been known to a disruption within the dressing room. There is no doubting the ability of Adebayor, his goal scoring return speaks for itself, the attitude and mentality has always been in question. Crystal Palace create many chances in a game, and with the creative players, previously mentioned in the team Adebayor would be in prime position for a very productive goal scoring return. His ability to let players play off him would benefit runners moving in front of him, with the midfielders and wide players also getting themselves more goals. When he is on his game Adebayor can look to be unplayable, but whether Alan Pardew risks a move for the frontman may come down to the attitude and wage demands of the striker.
Saido Berahino
The West Brom striker has had a problematic season thus far. Since declaring he wanted to join Tottenham in the summer, the English striker has found himself on the bench for the majority of the season for a West Brom side who do not possess a striker better than Berahino. A move to Tottenham could be on the cards during this January transfer window, though certainly he fits the profile for the type of player Pardew needs to improve his current group at Crystal Palace. Berahino possesses a natural striking instinct, scoring many types of goals, his instincts inside the 18 yard box is exactly what Pardew needs in his current team. The transfer fee would be a hefty sum of money for Crystal Palace; maybe within the region of 15-20 million however with the American investment they received they would be able to afford this. Berahino fits the bill for Palace and Pardew but a move might be unlikely especially if Tottenham come calling again.
Alexandre Pato
The Brazilian ace has been linked with possibly every team in the Premier League this transfer window thus far, with nobody willing to take a chance. Although a move to Chelsea is looking more likely, Pato should certainly into consideration for Crystal Palace. The prospect of a firing Pato in the Premier League would be great for the league and would be considered a major coup. The attraction of London could be a lure for Palace to bring the frontman in to lead their line. The current Corinthians player is a player with tremendous ability, his ability to get in behind defenders and play on the shoulder of defenders makes him a very dangerous player. The problem is that there is a risk factor with him, his attitude has been questioned from his time in Milan and at one time his weight gain was considered a problem. This could be a signing that could go either way for Pardew, on ability and his goal scoring record he is a top class player but whether his attitude would be right would be a major concern.
Michy Batshuayi
The Marseille and Belgian striker is regarded as one the most promising strikers in Europe, with many clubs linked with the frontman. A move to Crystal Palace may look unlikely but the lure of a move to London and regular first team football could be an attraction for Batshuayi. Having recently broke into the Belgian national team, the opportunity to play in the same league as fellow Belgium strikers Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke could give the 22 year old a real platform to show how good he is. His movement inside the 18 yard box is his biggest strength and would provide this Crystal Palace team with goals. A transfer fee for the Belgian frontman would be a hefty fee, rumoured to be in the region of 20-25 million, but certainly would prove to be money well spent. Bigger clubs will be expected to finally take Batshuayi away from Marseille though certainly would be a sign of intent from Crystal Palace.
The return of Yannick Bolasie for the team will prove very important for the season as a whole for Crystal Palace. Adding a striker to compliment the fantastic talent the club possesses in the attacking third must be a priority for the club to stand any chance of getting a European place this season.
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