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Crystal Palace signing this in-form 26-year-old Belgian league star would get them goals

Why Crystal Palace should make a move for Kemar Roofe in January

Back in July, Sky Sports had claimed that Crystal Palace were interested in signing Kemar Roofe from Leeds United. However, no deal materialised and he went onto join Belgian club Anderlecht in the summer.

A West Brom academy graduate, Kemar Roofe, 26, joined Leeds United in the 2016 summer transfer window from Oxford, having won the League Two Player of the Year award. He had scored 32 goals in 132 appearances for the Whites before joining Anderlecht.

At Anderlecht, the Walsall-born star has been in excellent form, bagging five goals and two assists in seven Belgian Pro League games. He took some time to get over his injury troubles and get going at his new club, but Roofe has already made his mark during his short time at Anderlecht, vindicating the Belgian club’s decision to splash out on him in the summer.

Leeds United forward Kemar Roofe dribbles past his opponent. (Getty Images)
Leeds United forward Kemar Roofe dribbles past his opponent. (Getty Images)

With Roofe thriving in Belgium, Crystal Palace should reignite their interest in the 26-year-old during the January transfer window.

Crystal Palace have struggled for a prolific goalscorer for some time now. They have been dependent on Wilfried Zaha for goals over the last few seasons but the Ivorian has endured an ordinary 2019/20 campaign so far with no goals to his name. With Zaha struggling, the Eagles haven’t threatened much going forward, although Jordan Ayew has done well as a number 9.

Despite leading the line well, Ayew has never been a prolific goalscorer and dry patches could follow as the season progresses. That’s why Roy Hodgson must target a forward in January and Roofe would be a good fit at Selhurst Park.

Roofe is a versatile forward who can play in various positions across the frontline, although he has shone as a centre-forward in the last 12-15 months. He has done very well in his debut season at Anderlecht, showing his adaptability and football intelligence in the final third.

Kemar Roofe in action for Leeds United. (Getty Images)
Kemar Roofe in action for Leeds United. (Getty Images)

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The 26-year-old is one of those players who prefers to run the channels, make runs in behind to stretch the defence. He works tirelessly off the ball, is physically strong and a clinical finisher in front of goal. In the video below, one could see glimpses of Roofe’s ruthless finishing inside the box and his other attributes.

Verdict

After a solid 2018/19 season with Leeds, Roofe is currently proving at Anderlecht that he has goalscoring pedigree in his locker. Despite his injury problems, he would be worth a punt for the Eagles.