Why Crystal Palace must sign free-agent Diego Cavalieri at all costs
Crystal Palace are being linked with a move to sign free-agent Diego Cavalieri on a short-term deal. After being released from Fluminense, the player has been without a club and Roy Hodgson is understood to be keen on signing him after Cavalieri completed a trial session with the Eagles earlier this week. The 35-year-old certainly does not lack experience and he could prove to be a good option to boost depth in an area where Palace have struggled in the past.
Cavalieri embarked on his football career with Palmeiras and made quite a name for himself there. At one point, he was considered one of the most promising Brazilian talents, following which he made a move to join Liverpool in 2008. However, he did not feature even once in the Premier League during his two-year tenure with the club.
Instead, he was solely utilised in cup competitions and the keeper eventually moved to Cesena. After spending some time there, Cavalieri joined Fluminense and spent quite a long time with them.
However, he was released in 2017, meaning it has been a while since he has been active on the field. That said, Hodgson is believed to be happy with what he has seen from Cavalieri during the trial and considering the fact that Julian Speroni is set to serve a lengthy spell on the sidelines, it does make sense for the Eagles to target Cavalieri in a quest to add some much-needed depth to the squad.
Wayne Hennessey not only needs a backup but it would also be good to have a player who can provide competition for the place. One might argue that Cavalieri has zero Premier League experience but given the situation and the requirement, it will certainly not harm Palace to try utilising his services on a free transfer.
Also, this deal will have minimal risks associated with it, thus making it a solid choice for Hodgson at a time when his club are in desperate need of a backup goalkeeper.
The Eagles have been scanning the market for a new goalkeeper for quite some time now and Getafe keeper Vincente Guaita will arrive once the season comes to an end. Regardless, that will not solve their troubles at hand since Hennessey needs cover now.
So it makes sense for Hodgson to sign Cavalieri, who is, incidentally, a player he briefly managed at Liverpool back in 2010. In fact, Hodgson was the one who sanctioned his exit and it will be interesting to see if Cavalieri gets that much-elusive Premier League game, at Selhurst Park.