Wayne Rooney is now keen to sign a Crystal Palace academy graduate on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.
The 38-year-old has been hired by Plymouth as a replacement for Ian Foster after finishing 21st in the Championship last season, narrowly avoiding relegation to League One by just a single point.
So, who does Rooney want to sign on loan from Crystal Palace? Let’s take a look…
Wayne Rooney wants Crystal Palace No.52 David Ozoh
A story from London News Online now claims that Rooney’s Plymouth want to sign David Ozoh on loan.
It is said that Neil Dewsnip – Director of Football for the Championship outfit – tried to sign the England U18 international in January, but Crystal Palace wanted to keep him at Selhurst Park.
Ozoh – aged 19 – made nine Premier League appearances last season as he enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in south London, notably playing a huge role in our comeback against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Jeffrey Schlupp even commented on that 56-minute cameo during an interview in April, telling Crystal Palace’s official website: “He played a massive part coming on against City, for example, getting back to 2-2. He’s been thrown in the deep end and he’s really held his own which is nice to see.”
London News Online add that Crystal Palace will allow Ozoh to leave in order for the teenager to receive regular playing time next season, as Cheick Doucoure prepares to return and make competition for midfield places in SE25 even more fierce in the 2024/25 campaign.
Correct decision
We have been banging the Ozoh drum for some time now, as we believe he has potential to become a significant player for Crystal Palace.
However, with Doucoure returning to full fitness this summer, Oliver Glasner will have the Mali international, Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes and Naouirou Ahamada to cover just two midfield positions, while the Austrian also used Chris Richards and Marc Guehi in that area at times last season.
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Therefore, leaving Ozoh at Selhurst Park next season would surely harm his development, so we believe a loan to Plymouth – where he can learn from one of England’s finest ever footballers in Rooney – would make plenty of sense.
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