Creative Cabaye could be coup of the summer for Crystal Palace
The transfer window always throws up rumours that seem borderline ridiculous. Sometimes the thought of a player moving to a team is enough to make even the most optimistic of football fans laugh off rumours linking players to their club, such is the nigh-on impossibility of a performer making a certain switch.
One such report has seen Yohan Cabaye linked with a move to Crystal Palace, though it's a rumour that continues to build momentum. The PSG midfielder has failed to capture his best form in the French capital having swapped Newcastle for Paris 18 months ago, with the Parisian giants seemingly prepared to take a £10m hit on the creative star.
While he was linked with moves to Manchester United and Arsenal at the turn of the year, it’s Palace who appear to be leading the race to secure his services this summer in a transfer that would force most to rub their eyes with disbelief. The one key factor in the Eagles’ quest to land Cabaye is Alan Pardew. The 53-year-old took Cabaye to Newcastle back in 2011, helping the 29-year-old become the highly revered creator he is today.
Granted, the Frenchman was a key member of the Lille side that secured Ligue 1 glory in the 2010/11 campaign, but it's feasible to suggest that he became a household name across Europe during his time at St. James’ Park.
Pardew brought out the best in Cabaye during their respective stints with Newcastle and it’s fair to say the latter will want to be at his best ahead of next summer’s European Championship. France have ample midfield options and first team football is a must for Cabaye if he is to secure a spot in Didier Deschamps’ squad. The hope for him now is that he can rediscover his best form in time for the tournament, with Pardew desperate to allow him to do just that.
Judging by his WhoScored rating over the last 5 league seasons, it’s clear Cabaye and Pardew worked well together. His WhoScored rating in the Premier League in the months leading up to his move to PSG was a notable 7.48, during which Cabaye netted 7 goals and provided a further 2 assists in 19 league appearances. Palace players and fans alike would hope he could replicate this form for the south London side, should he sign this summer.
The main conundrum here, however, is how to accommodate Cabaye into the Palace starting XI. Understandably, a player of the Frenchman’s ilk would command a first team spot, regardless of the competition. If he is confirmed as a Palace player in the foreseeable future, it’s likely that Jason Puncheon’s place in the team would be most at threat.
The 29-year-old Palace ace emerged as one of the team’s most important players on the back of Pardew’s arrival at the club, with his redeployment in the middle of the park vital to the club’s 10th place finish. As Palace’s creator in chief, almost every offensive move went through Puncheon, with the attacker ending the campaign having averaged more key passes (1.8) and registered more league assists (7) than any other Eagles player.
A return of 6 goals was also not to be scoffed at, with Puncheon emerging as one of Pardew’s big game players, netting in meetings with Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool last season.
In Pardew’s favoured 4-3-3 formation, both Cabaye and Puncheon are ideal candidates to play in the midfield three. The Palace boss can call on James McArthur, Mile Jedinak and Joe Ledley in the middle of the park, all of whom boast the defensive skills to make the system work, so it’s reasonable to suggest that Cabaye and Puncheon would be battling for one starting spot.
Indeed, the pairing are both ideal performers to link the midfield and attack and to provide a goalscoring threat from deep. The duo have gained statistically calculated WhoScored strengths of ‘long shots’, reinforcing their tendency to go for goal from distance, and each boast the eye for a defence splitting pass.
Puncheon’s set-piece ability perhaps stands him in better stead, though Cabaye is certainly no novice from such situations, but either player is capable of undertaking creative responsibilties in a 4-3-3 formation.
However, it’s Puncheon’s versatility that could see Cabaye come out trumps in any battle for a starting berth in the middle of the park. Before Pardew took charge, Puncheon would often start out on the wing under the stewardship of Neil Warnock, which did little to hinder his impact. It could be out on the flanks where he is required to attack the opposition once more, thus guaranteeing Cabaye a starting spot.
Then, though, Pardew faces a selection problem in attack. Glenn Murray performed admirably under the former Newcastle boss and will be hoping to start the upcoming campaign as Palace’s leading marksman, facing competition from Marouane Chamakh.
Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha have also impressed under Pardew and it’s unlikely the pairing will be dropped any time soon. There is the possibility of Bolasie playing as the lead frontman as a 'false 9', with Zaha and Puncheon flanking the Democratic Republic of Congo wideman. The speed and versatility of the trio would make them tough to mark out of the game, which would, in theory, benefit Cabaye.
Statistically calculated WhoScored strengths of ‘key passes’ and ‘through balls’ further accentuate the Frenchman's creative ability. This aspect of his game would allow the front three to flourish, in the process boosting Cabaye’s credibility in a key season for the midfielder.
His capture would be a real sign of intent for Palace in their aim to improve ahead of the upcoming campaign. Pardew spoke of his side’s ability to secure a top half finish and the signing of Cabaye would suggest the Palace boss is right to set such a target.
The Eagles have been quiet in the transfer market so far, though reports that a move for Cabaye is close unsurprisingly has supporters beaming with excitement. If they indeed secure the services of the midfielder, reuniting Pardew and the player, Palace, it could be argued, will have landed the coup of the summer so far.