Why Crystal Palace should go all out for Wout Weghorst in January

Last month, the Guardian had claimed that Crystal Palace were interested in signing Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst.

Wout Weghorst, 27, who bagged 17 goals and 7 assists in 34 appearances in the previous campaign to propel Wolfsburg to a 6th-place finish in the Bundesliga, has once again hit the ground running in the German top-flight. He has netted seven goals and assisted a further two times in 16 games thus far.

Before his switch to Germany, the Dutchman was a key player for AZ Alkmaar, for whom he scored a bagful of goals. With Weghorst scoring goals left, right and centre in Wolfsburg colours, Crystal Palace must attempt to recruit him in January.

Roy Hodgson’s men are currently going through a mixed season. Though at the moment the Eagles are in the top half of the table, they have been inconsistent throughout the campaign.

Wout Weghorst has been a key player for Wolfsburg. (Getty Images)

Jordan Ayew is their top scorer with 4 goals in the league, while Christian Benteke has scored just twice for his club since April 2018. Wilfried Zaha hasn’t been at his sublime best this term, managing just 3 goals so far.

Palace need a prolific goalscorer to help them move up the table and a player of Wout Weghorst’s quality would be the perfect fit at Selhurst Park.

Weghorst has been in really good form for Wolfsburg, impressing with his aerial ability, link-up play and clinical finishing.

Standing at 6ft 6in with a towering frame, the Netherlands international is also adept at holding the ball up and bringing his teammates into the game using short exchanges in and around the box.

As per Whoscored.com, the 27-year-old has registered an average of 1.6 key passes, 2.7 shots per game and 0.7 dribbles, whilst achieving a 63.1% pass success rate. There’s no wonder that he has won 3.6 aerials per game. Weghorst seems like he certainly knows where the goal is and would be a straight upgrade on Benteke at Selhurst Park.

Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst celebrates after scoring. (Getty Images)

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In the video below, one can get a glimpse of the Dutchman’s clinical nature in front of the goal and impressive link-up play.

Verdict

Of course, there is more to being a striker these days than just putting the ball in the net but if someone can score at a fantastic rate while also contributing to the rest of the play, they’re definitely worth looking at.

Thus, the signing of Weghorst would make a lot of sense for Palace, as he is more than just a goal-machine and could finally be the man to solve their goalscoring woes.