This summer, it’s going to be all hands on deck for Crystal Palace with a squad overhaul more than expected.
Upon taking the job at Crystal Palace, it’s unlikely that Oliver Glasner will have arrived without a list of demands.
This summer, the burden of doing this work will fall on the shoulders of Dougie Freedman who will have to be on top form to hand Glasner a team he’s happy with.
Among these demands so far, appears to be a centre-half, striker and replacement for either Eberechi Eze or Michael Olise should they depart this summer.
For Freedman, this summer could also bring to an end his long-term chase for one player who’s currently ripping it up for his club.
READ MORE: Who is Dougie Freedman? The Crystal Palace Sporting Director linked with Manchester United switch
Crystal Palace can avoid repeating 2014 mistake by signing Ronnie Edwards
For Freedman, one of the most prominent targets over the past year has been Peterborough United’s Ronnie Edwards.
The centre-half has it all to play at the highest level, just like Virgil van Dijk did back when the Eagles had the chance to sign him in 2014, only for a move to be vetoed, according to Neil Warnock.
So having the chance to sign a potentially top-tier centre-half for what we can’t imagine being more than £15m, is a deal too good to refuse for Palace.
If Edwards reaches his potential he could quite easily be capable of playing for England and for a top Premier League side.
Edwards is big, strong and excellent on the ball, the perfect Glasner centre-half.
Ronnie Edwards is the best defender in League One at one thing
This season, Edwards has really shown himself to be a cut above his peers in League One.
He’s without a doubt the best defender in the league on the ball and his stats show that clearly as he ranks top for quite a few important metrics.
- 40 matches
- 7.1 match rating
- 3,259 passes completed (100th percentile)
- 91.4% pass accuracy (100th percentile)
- 276 long passes completed (100th percentile)
- 13 chances created (84th percentile)
- 8 successful dribbles (78th percentile)
- 4,021 touches (100th percentile)
- 35 tackles won (90th percentile)
- 167 duels won (70th percentile)
- 39 interceptions (89th percentile)
- 214 recoveries (95th percentile)
From his season stats – as per FotMob – he’s evidently a level or two above League One and it’s no wonder that Palace are extremely keen this summer.
Signing young talent from the EFL is Freedman’s forte, but if he grabs Edwards and he’s a hit, it’d be impressive even for him.
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