Crystal Palace
8 goals and 3 assists – This in-form Dutch star could be the man to end Crystal Palace’s goal rut and Hodgson must get him
Why Wout Weghorst would be a real coup for Crystal Palace in January
According to The Guardian, Crystal Palace have been credited with an interest in Dutch international striker Wout Weghorst, who currently plies his trade with Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga.
The 27-year-old, who racked up 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, and currently boasts of a tally of 8 goals and 3 assists in 16 appearances across all competitions.
Having started his footballing education at Willem II, Weghorst shot to prominence with FC Emmen in the Dutch second-tier before Eredivisie outfit Heracles Almelo came calling for his services in 2014.
Impressive returns of 24 goals in 73 appearances over the course of two seasons at Heracles Almelo earned him a move to AZ Alkmaar in 2016, and Weghorst enhanced his burgeoning reputation as a talented young striker in the Eredivisie with a tally of 18 goals in all competitions in his debut season.
Goals continued to flow for the towering Dutchman in his homeland and a career-best tally of 27 goals at Alkmaar in the following campaign prompted Wolfsburg to bring him to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2018.
The 3-cap Dutch international proved to be an instant hit in his new surroundings and was one of the cornerstones of the club’s successful campaign the last term.
Crystal Palace have managed 4 victories and 3 draws from their first 12 Premier League fixtures and while the stage certainly looks set for them to push on for greater heights in the coming months, the misfiring attacking cavalry at the club could once again pour cold water on their hopes of securing a top-half finish.
Jordan Ayew, who joined on a permanent transfer from Swansea City this summer following a loan spell at Selhurst Park last season, is currently the top-scorer with three goals, while Christian Benteke has found the net just twice since April 2018.
However, the fact that should concern Roy Hodgson the most in the failure of Wilfried Zaha to make an impact this season, with the Ivorian talisman yet to score a single goal so far in the Premier League.
It is worth arguing that Palace have relied way too heavily on him to deliver the goods in recent years but his dip in form this term could have far-reaching consequences for the Eagles if he doesn’t manage to hit the ground running soon enough.
Having scored just 10 goals in 11 games so far, it is a no-brainer that Crystal Palace need to sign a new striker in January to improve on their lacklustre goal returns in the Premier League, which has become a norm rather than an anomaly over the past few years.
Verdict
To that end, bringing in an in-form striker like Wout Weghorst could go a long way towards solving Palace’s goalscoring crisis, with the Dutchman very much a proven goalscorer in the Bundesliga and a player in the right age bracket at 27.
Standing at 6ft 6in with a towering frame, Weghorst is not only a giant in the air with his incredible aerial ability (3.6 aerial duels per game this season), but he is also adept at holding the ball up and linking up with his teammates using short exchanges (1.8 key passes per game) in and around the box, as cited by whoscored.
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Furthermore, the fact that 13 of his 17 league goals came from inside the box is clearly indicative of his undisputed pedigree inside the penalty area, and a bonafide goal poacher is something that Palace have been crying out for a long time.
With that in mind, Hodgson completing a swoop for Wout Weghorst could pay off handsomely, as the Dutchman apparently has the physicality and the raw attributes to make a big impact on 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.
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