Crystal Palace Opinion: Why the Eagles should go all out for Djibril Sidibe?
According to a report from France Football, Crystal Palace have joined West Ham and Valencia in the race for AS Monaco right-back Djibril Sidibe.
Sidibe, 26, was part of the World Cup-winning France squad last summer but he endured an injury-hit 2018/19 campaign with AS Monaco, who narrowly avoided relegation from Ligue 1.
That has seen the defender’s stock fall in recent months and Monaco are believed to be demanding only €15m for the player’s services, the report adds.
West Ham are interested in signing Sidibe but given that the Hammers already have Ryan Fredericks and Pablo Zabaleta, Crystal Palace could be the better destination for the Frenchman to reignite his career.
The Eagles boss Roy Hodgson wants to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season after his team finished 12th on the table. The veteran English tactician has already lost one of his last season’s stars in Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United and could see Wilfried Zaha depart as well amidst interest from Arsenal.
The south Londoners are yet to replace Wan-Bissaka, who was a revelation at the Selhurst Park last season. With exactly two weeks left for the summer transfer window to slam shut, Hodgson would be wise to splash the cash and sign Sidibe from Monaco.
Sidibe emerged as one of the most promising and coveted right-backs in the game a couple of years ago, catching the attention of Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. However, injuries have not allowed the French World Cup winner to live up to his potential but having attained full fitness now, the 26-year-old would be determined to get back to his usual self.
The France international is a really attacking full-back, and he would undoubtedly make a real difference to Palace’s attacking play on the right-hand side. Sidibe is agile, athletic, energetic and pacey, with the ability to drive forward and deliver delicious crosses in the box.
While he is a good passer of the ball, the Troyes-born star also likes to link up the play and sets up his teammates with key passes.
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Sidibe’s defensive qualities allow him to track back and make recovery runs to cut out the attacks, while his ability to time his tackles to perfection makes him a valuable asset to the backline.
He has the attributes to take the Premier League like a duck to water and his attacking instincts would make him an ideal fit for Hodgson’s system at Palace.
Verdict
Wan-Bissaka’s departure has left a huge void in Hodgson’s squad. Sidibe would be the right player to fill it and compete with Joel Ward for the right-back spot next season.