Crystal Palace
Enough is enough – Crystal Palace parting ways with their £26m liability would be a step in the right direction
Why Crystal Palace should consider selling Mamadou Sakho to Besiktas
According to claims from Turkish outlet Fotospor, Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho is the subject of interest from Besiktas, who are keen to add to their defensive options in January.
The report adds that the Turkish giants are keen to bring in a new centre-back in January, with the club officials looking forward to entering into negotiations with Crystal Palace over a potential loan move for the 29-year-old Frenchman.
Sakho played against Aston Villa, Tottenham and Wolves in the Premier League earlier in the season but he is currently nursing an injury on the sidelines after making just 3 appearances for the Eagles this term. That, however, hasn’t stopped Besiktas from pursuing a keen interest in his services.
The 29-year-old, who clocked over 200 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain before coming through the door at Liverpool in the summer of 2013, struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at Anfield over the course of his stint at Merseyside before initially joining Palace on loan in January 2017.
A series of promising displays in the latter half of the 2017-18 season prompted the Eagles to dish out as much as £26million to acquire his services permanently but Sakho hasn’t really been able to live up to his price tag at Selhurst Park.
The 29-cap French international has earned a negative reputation in South London as an impetuous defender with a patchy injury record, making only 58 appearances in all competitions, although Roy Hodgson has continued to show a lot of trust in his abilities.
However, with Besiktas showing interest and Sakho having just more than 18 months left to run on his current deal until 2021, it won’t be a bad idea for Palace to consider altering their stance on the defender’s future.
To put things into perspective, the Eagles should be open to the prospect of parting ways with Mamadou Sakho in the near future given that he has struggled to make a big impact over the course of his stay at Selhurst Park.
Palace would have thought that they had landed themselves a top-quality centre-back in prime when they splashed such a massive amount a couple of years back but Sakho just hasn’t been consistent enough.
Apart from his propensity for letting the team down with lapses in concentration, the 29-year-old has hardly ever been a regular presence for Palace at the back due to his repeated struggles with injuries.
That coupled with the fact that other central defenders Scott Dann, Gary Cahill and James Tomkins are all above the age of 30, the chance to cash in on Sakho should appeal to the Eagles.
Besiktas might only be looking for a temporary move but the Eagles should ideally consider negotiating a loan deal with an option/obligation to buy, which would enable them to recoup a fraction of the money that they had spent on him a couple of years back.
Verdict
Sakho is at a stage in his career where his powers are going to start declining very soon, and offloading him would allow the club to reinvest those funds in some young and developing talents.
Furthermore, cashing in on Sakho might as well facilitate a move for a new striker or a creative midfielder in the upcoming transfer windows given that a lack of creativity has been one of the key drawbacks for the club in the Premier League over the past twelve months.
To that end, Palace are going to have to cut their losses on the 29-year-old somewhere down the line in the near future and they shouldn’t hesitate to grab the opportunity to offload him in January if Besiktas do choose to go ahead with their interest in the centre-back’s services.
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Of course, they would need to bring in a replacement if they allow him to leave but that would make a lot more sense than keeping the Frenchman on the books for the rest of his contract.
Having been in the Premier League for more than five seasons now, it is high time for the Eagles to move away from mediocrity and start aiming for greater heights. Getting rid of Sakho might well be a step in the right direction for that matter.
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.
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