This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
It’s not much of a secret that Crystal Palace lack goalscoring prowess.
In 13 Premier League outings so far this season, the Eagles have netted just 11 goals, making them the third-lowest scorers in England’s top-flight this term.
Their top scorer? Jordan Ayew with four goals.
Behind the Ghana international, left-back Patrick van Aanholt and penalty king Luka Milivojevic have two goals apiece – Roy Hodgson’s wide areas are severely lacking a goal threat.
However, one recent report from Sky Sports suggests that Palace are looking to amend the issue.
Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen is believed to be on the Eagles’ radar, while he mulls over a contract offer from the Tigers.
The 22-year-old tends to operate on the right flank, cutting in on his stronger left foot where he likes to test the goalkeeper – he often ends up beating the man in between the sticks.
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Bowen has notched 11 Championship goals already this season, after netting 22 goals in the second tier last term.
Currently at Selhurst Park, Andros Townsend is the man operating out on that right flank, a player who doesn’t offer anywhere near as much of a goal threat as Bowen has done over the last 18 months.
Townsend has netted just 21 Premier League goals since the start of the 2012/13 campaign, one less league goal than Bowen managed last season.
Aside from the former Tottenham winger, Palace don’t really have any other left-footed wide men who can provide a goal threat from the right flank, perhaps why Townsend has started so many games in recent seasons – the England international started 34 Premier League games last term, and 35 the season before that.
If Palace did manage to bring Bowen to Selhurst Park, then Hodgson would have a much improved goal threat available to him from the right, a position in which its occupant could have some fun as defenders gang up on Wilfried Zaha.
Meanwhile, loads of Crystal Palace fans have been drooling over one man’s performance last time out against Liverpool…
