Why Crystal Palace should plot a January swoop for Michy Batshuayi

Michy Batshuayi is yet to play for Chelsea this season having only managed to make Frank Lampard’s matchday squad for the last weekend’s 3-2 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road.

The Belgium international, 25, has failed to establish himself since joining Chelsea three years ago from Marseille in 2016 and has not played for the club since January 2018.

He has spent time on loan at the likes of Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund and Valencia over the course of the last 18 months and looked set for another temporary move amidst interest from some clubs during the summer transfer window.

Now back at Stamford Bridge, the 25-year-old has fallen behind Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud in the pecking order.

Lampard gave Michy Batshuayi an opportunity to work on his fitness when Chelsea’s development squad faced Liverpool last Monday and the striker impressed his manager by scoring twice in a 3-0, but it remains to be seen whether he can get the game time he wants this season.

Speaking about interest in Batshuayi during the transfer window, Crystal Palace were one of the clubs that wanted to sign the big Belgian. (h/t The Express) However, Chelsea’s £40m valuation of the striker had put off the Eagles.

And failure to bring in a new striker has resulted in Palace’s slow start to the new Premier League campaign.

One of the reasons for this is their struggle for goals. Even though they sprung a surprise last weekend by defeating Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford, one cannot hide the fact the Eagles are once again dependent on Wilfried Zaha.

That being said, it would make real sense for Roy Hodgson to revive his interest in Batshuayi and try signing him when the transfer window reopens in January.

Batshuayi quickly became a firm favourite at Selhurst Park during his short-term loan spell last season, bagging six goals in 13 appearances for Palace.

The Belgian formed a lethal partnership with Zaha and Townsend and the Eagles played some really eye-catching counter-attacking football during the business end of 2018/19 campaign. In fact, his presence up top helped the south London outfit to a club-record Premier League points tally of 49.

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On the ball, the 25-year-old showed great pace and skill to dribble past defenders and get his shots off at Palace. He played with a lot of freedom and confidence, whilst his off the ball work rate also improved under Hodgson.

Verdict

Having played under Hodgson at Palace, Batshuayi won’t take much time in understanding the veteran manager’s system and tactics if a move goes through in January. Truly, it’ll be a win-win situation for all the parties involved, allowing the Belgian international to revive his career that has stuttered in recent times.