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Crystal Palace beating Everton to sign this strong Ligue 1 centre-back is the need of the hour for Hodgson

Crystal Palace Opinion: Why the Eagles should go for Adama Soumaoro?

According to Voix du Nord, Crystal Palace and Everton are locked in a battle to sign Lille centre-back Adama Soumaoro. (h/t The Liverpool Echo)

Lille enjoyed a strong campaign domestically, finishing second on the Ligue 1 table. Adama Soumaoro formed a strong partnership at the back alongside Jose Fonte. That has seen the defender catch interest from various clubs and it seems as though the Frenchman could be on his way to the Premier League.

With that in mind, Crystal Palace must do everything to their powers to beat Everton to the signing of Soumaoro this summer.

The Eagles had an inconsistent 2018/19 campaign and Roy Hodgson will be keen to improve and guide the club to a top-half finish next term. Hodgson’s men had problems scoring goals this past season, with none of the strikers performing up to their standards.

While signing a new centre-forward has to be the veteran English manager’s priority, Palace also need defensive reinforcements to avoid another poor Premier League campaign.

The south Londoners shipped 53 goals in the 2018/19 and those numbers must change if the club are to aim for a top-half finish. Hodgson simply cannot rely on the central defensive pairing of James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho next term, with the latter floundering and struggling with injuries.

Martin Kelly and Scott Dann are decent to have as squad players but they lack the quality to start for the club, week in and week out.

Palace need some reliable players at the back and Adama Soumaoro would be a phenomenal signing.

A very calm and composed figure at the back, the Frenchman is good in the air and has the technical qualities to initiate attacks from defence. The 27-year-old has an excellent passing range which helps him spread the play with ease.

Fearless on the tackle and armed with a good understanding of the game, Soumaoro looks very much capable of making the step up to the Premier League.

Given that he is 27, Palace have every reason to look at him as a long-term solution in a bid to add more depth and bite to their backline.

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His physicality suits the style of the Premier League and his ability to anticipate danger early makes him a very strong centre-half to consider for the south Londoners.

Verdict

Soumaoro would be a top signing for Palace if they can manage to beat Everton for his signature in the summer.

At 27, the Frenchman is operating in his prime and the Premier League is the perfect place for him to unlock his true potential.