Crystal Palace
Premier League • England
Crystal Palace plot move for the ‘young Didier Drogba’ as cut-price deal comes into view
A report has claimed that Crystal Palace are looking into M’Bala Nzola, who has been described by his former coach as a ‘young Drogba’.
Crystal Palace haven’t been hugely prolific in front of goal this season and so an additional striker would make sense. Patrick Vieira’s side currently sit 15th in the table following their 2-1 win against Leeds.
They finished last season in 12th place in what proved to be a promising first season for Vieira.
Since Vieira’s arrival, Wilfried Zaha has been their main source of goals. He finished last season with 14 league goals and is their top scorer this year with four strikes.
Zaha and Odsonne Edouard have been their only players to have scored more than one league goal this season.
Palace have averaged 10.7 shots per game this season, which is the third-lowest tally in the Premier League. They have averaged 1.25 goals per game and are projected to score 47 goals.
If they are looking to improve on last season’s finish, some added firepower would certainly be useful.
M’Bala Nzola has quite the reputation
According to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport, Crystal Palace are interested in a move for Spezia forward Nzola.
The 26-year-old’s current deal with Spezia expires at the end of the season and so Palace could land a cut-priced deal in January.
Fulham had previously been interested in Nzola, but their bid of around £11.5million was rejected in January.
The Angolan forward has returned to form this season after an indifferent 2021/22 campaign where he scored just two goals.
He has started this season well with three goals in his opening eight matches.
Nzola’s best run of form came under Vincenzo Italiano in the 2020/21 season where he scored 11 league goals and got three assists.
His former manager drew quite the comparison to legendary Chelsea forward Didier Drogba.
Italiano explained (via Tuttosport): “(Nzola) is a fast striker, good at attacking the box and making the team play well.
“I see a young Drogba in him.”
Drogba scored 104 Premier League goals for Chelsea and was always a player who could be counted on in the biggest of matches.
During his most prolific season under Italiano, Nzola overperformed his xG by 1.9 goals, which highlights how clinical he can be.
The Spezia forward has averaged two shots per game this season and wins an average of 1.5 aerial duels.
How far can Palace go under Vieira?
Vieira has showcased himself to be a fine tactician and Palace have recruited well since his arrival.
Since Vieira joined, there has been an effort to lower the average age of the squad and invest in young upcoming players.
Palace have had great success with the likes of Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise.
Prior to Vieira joining the club, the Palace squad had an average age of 28.8, which was the highest in the Premier League at the time. The squad now has an average age of 26.6, which highlights how much has been done.
The Eagles made it to the semi-final of the FA Cup last year and they took points off several big six sides.
If they are to continue improving under Vieira, they will need to maintain their impressive recruitment strategy and continue to invest in the side.
Palace have a favourable run of fixtures coming up and they could significantly climb the league.
Their next four fixtures are against Leicester, Wolves, Everton and Southampton.
If they manage to build on the momentum of the Leeds result, there’s no reason why they can’t target a top half finish.
Since the 2013/14 season, Palace have only ever finished in the top half on one occasion, under Alan Pardew in 2014/15.