Crystal Palace
Southampton beating Crystal Palace to sign this 22-year-old PL starlet would ease defensive woes
Why Southampton should beat Crystal Palace to sign Kyle Walker-Peters
According to The Mirror (Page 72, November 24, 2019), Southampton and Crystal Palace are interested in signing Tottenham defender Kyle Walker-Peters on loan when the transfer window reopens in January.
However, the same report adds that the 22-year-old is willing to stay put in North London and fight for his place in the playing XI under the stewardship of new manager Jose Mourinho.
With Kieran Trippier departing for Atletico Madrid and Serge Aurier struggling for fitness, Walker-Peters started the season as Tottenham’s first-choice right-back. He featured in three consecutive Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United.
However, a hamstring strain in the 1-0 shock defeat to Newcastle opened the door for Aurier to reclaim his place in the starting XI and the Ivorian has managed to keep the academy graduate on the bench ever since.
Having struggled for regular minutes under former manager Mauricio Pochettino, Walker-Peters will have his work cut out as far as re-establishing himself as a regular starter is concerned.
He previously played second fiddle to Trippier and now, the youngster finds himself as an understudy to Aurier. Thus, a temporary move to further his development would be wise since his contract with Spurs doesn’t run out until the summer of 2023.
To that end, Southampton and Crystal Palace are willing to offer Kyle Walker-Peters an escape route during the mid-season trading period.
Despite his limited involvement since his breakthrough during the 2017-18 campaign, Southampton would bag a real coup if they manage to beat off competition from Palace to sign the 22-year-old on loan in January.
That would solely depend on whether or not Tottenham are open to loaning him out in January, given that he is currently the only alternative to Aurier. However, if the Lilywhites are willing to farm him out elsewhere, Southampton should not hesitate to pounce on the opportunity.
The Saints are reeling at the bottom of the table in the relegation zone, following a disastrous start to their Premier League campaign. They have accumulated just a couple of victories from their first 13 league fixtures so far.
Having conceded as many as 31 goals in 13 games, Southampton currently bear the ignominy of the worst defensive record in the entire division.
With that in mind, a loan deal for Kyle Walker-Peters would certainly add depth and quality to the club’s ailing backline.
Verdict
With academy prospect Yan Valery struggling to hit top gear and Cedric Soares’ uncertain future still, the Saints must try to sign the Tottenham starlet.
Soares will be out of contract next summer and with the Portuguese star stalling on fresh terms at St. Mary’s, Southampton could be forced to cash in on him in January to avoid losing him on a free transfer (TEAMtalk h/t EN24 News).
With an average of 2.7 tackles, 1 interception, 1.7 dribbles and 0.7 key passes per game with a pass completion rate of 87.6% (whoscored), Walker-Peters would be ideal for Hasenhuttl’s philosophy that often includes two wing-backs playing in advanced roles.
More Southampton News
- Southampton signing this 25-year-old star for €1.5m would be an absolute steal
- Two players Southampton should sign in January to avoid relegation
Although signing the former England U21 international on loan in January wouldn’t be a long-term solution for the Saints, the acquisition of Walker-Peters could go a long way towards shoring up a brittle backline to ensure survival in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Sign Füka Tsunoda From Brighton on Season Long Loan as Japanese Midfielder Pursues Competitive Development Opportunity
Crystal Palace have completed the season-long loan acquisition of midfielder Füka Tsunoda from Brighton & Hove Albion, establishing young attacking talent pursuing meaningful competitive minutes within their Women’s Super League establishment.
The 21-year-old Japanese international’s two-goal Brighton contribution combined with her seven league appearances establishes genuine elite-level exposure, suggesting proven quality deserving sustained competitive development within challenging professional environment.
Tsunoda’s transfer to South London represents strategic recruitment supporting Jo Potter’s squad construction philosophy, with the midfielder establishing herself as eighth summer signing. That recruitment accumulation suggests Potter constructs comprehensive squad depth supporting their inaugural Women’s Super League season following their promotion success, indicating realistic competitive ambition regarding their elite-level establishment.
Japanese Prospect Brings Elite League Experience and Goal Contribution
Tsunoda’s Brighton foundation combined with her two-goal Women’s Super League contribution establishes credible elite-level pedigree justifying Crystal Palace’s loan commitment. Her Urawa Reds background providing Japanese domestic elite experience establishes dual-pathway development suggesting sophisticated player development trajectory rather than purely untested prospect recruitment.
Her explicit excitement regarding her South London opportunity combined with Potter’s recognition of her as “exciting talent” suggests genuine confidence regarding her immediate contribution capability.
Loan Structure Enables Competitive Development Without Long-Term Commitment
Crystal Palace’s season-long loan arrangement establishes pragmatic development platform enabling meaningful competitive access whilst maintaining Brighton’s long-term rights, suggesting realistic squad development philosophy.
That structured approach provides Tsunoda genuine first-team opportunity whilst limiting both clubs’ risk exposure during transitional competitive periods.
This signing feels strategically important for Crystal Palace’s Women’s Super League establishment. Rather than relying exclusively upon established performers, they invest in young promising talent bringing elite international experience.
Tsunoda’s Japanese international recognition combined with her Brighton credentials positions her as developed prospect capable of meaningful Palace contribution supporting their inaugural elite-level season objectives.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Sign Tottenham Defender Molly Bartrip on Three Year Deal as Experienced Centre-Back Arrives
Crystal Palace have secured defender Molly Bartrip from Tottenham Hotspur on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, completing significant defensive recruitment.
The 30-year-old centre-back arrives following five years establishing herself as reliable Tottenham performer, accumulating 114 competitive appearances whilst contributing toward the club’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup final appearance during the 2023-24 campaign.
Bartrip brings proven elite-level experience accumulated across multiple Women’s Super League environments including her Reading tenure where she contributed toward the Berkshire club’s promotion success and subsequent top flight establishment. Her England youth international recognition combined with sustained elite-level performance suggests established defender capable of immediate championship-level contribution during Crystal Palace’s Women’s Super League campaign.
Experienced Defender Expresses Genuine Palace Enthusiasm
Bartrip articulated authentic emotional connection regarding her Crystal Palace appointment, specifically highlighting the club’s facilities and welcoming environment as sources of genuine excitement. Her language suggests authentic pride in joining the club rather than viewing the transfer as purely career progression, indicating genuine enthusiasm regarding Selhurst Park’s football environment and institutional culture.
The defender’s emphasis upon the people and facilities suggests she identifies genuine competitive advantages within Palace’s structures supporting her anticipated contribution.
Palace Build Defensive Stability Around Experienced Quality
Bartrip becomes Crystal Palace’s sixth summer signing, representing comprehensive squad construction supporting their Women’s Super League competitive ambitions. Her reunion with former Tottenham teammate Bethany England creates existing familiarity within defensive structures, potentially accelerating integration whilst providing established defensive partnership foundation.
This signing feels strategically important for Crystal Palace’s defensive construction. Bartrip arrives with proven Tottenham experience combined with demonstrated consistency across multiple elite environments, providing established quality without requiring substantial developmental investment.
Her willingness to commit to Palace following her Tottenham tenure validates the club’s competitive direction whilst suggesting genuine confidence regarding their championship-level potential moving forward.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet Continues Training Seven Months Pregnant Ahead of WSL Season
Crystal Palace midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet has continued pre-season training while seven months pregnant, demonstrating remarkable commitment toward her team’s preparations ahead of the Women’s Super League campaign.
The 34-year-old Belgian international midfielder, expecting a baby in September with physiotherapist fiancé Thomas De Jonghe, has remained actively involved in squad sessions while visibly pregnant.
Vanhaevermaet joined Crystal Palace last summer and directly contributed toward the club’s immediate Women’s Super League 2 promotion success, establishing herself as valuable squad member during their championship campaign. Her continued training involvement despite advanced pregnancy demonstrates genuine professional dedication combined with appropriate health management during her final trimester.
Professional Standards Balanced With Pregnancy Safety
Crystal Palace’s social media celebration of Vanhaevermaet’s training commitment, “seven months pregnant and still putting the work in”, reflects the club’s recognition of her professionalism, while the midfielder demonstrated her keepy-uppy abilities during training sessions.
Her involvement maintains squad familiarity while permitting appropriate physical modifications consistent with NHS guidance recommending continued physical activity during pregnancy.
NHS recommendations suggest maintaining normal daily activity during pregnancy while avoiding exhaustion, with pregnant women maintaining ability to hold conversations during exercise. Vanhaevermaet’s modified training approach appears appropriately calibrated toward maintaining fitness without excessive intensity.
Squad Maternity Developments Continue
Vanhaevermaet becomes another addition to Crystal Palace’s expanding maternal circumstances, with teammate Josie Green welcoming a daughter Thursday alongside partner Marcus Gan. That collective squad development demonstrates modern women’s football increasingly accommodating player parenthood while maintaining competitive standards.
This situation feels genuinely positive for women’s football’s evolving culture. Rather than forcing players into immediate retirement during pregnancy, Crystal Palace enable Vanhaevermaet to remain squad-involved while managing her health appropriately, suggesting genuine institutional support for players navigating life transitions alongside professional commitments.
- Liverpool14 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal14 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines14 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal14 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”
- Arsenal14 years ago
Nike Are In A Three Way Battle For Shirt Sponsorship With Arsenal, Man United And Man City