Crystal Palace losing Eberechi Eze is a huge blow to Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace have suffered a huge blow after Eberechi Eze was sidelined through injury, but the HLTCO presenter suggested to GIVEMESPORT that Roy Hodgson could tweak his system to bring in a player who can return to the team.
It’s no secret that Palace rely heavily on Eze and Michael Olise to create chances.
Both young midfielders have been excellent since joining the Eagles, but Hodgson will now have to find a way to win games without them.
Olise has been missing for some time, but the BBC reported earlier this week that Eze will miss around six weeks of action with a hamstring injury.
Palace faced Nottingham Forest in the Premier League before a two-week pause.
The international break comes at just the right time for the capital club as they count down the days when Eze and Olise return to action.
Hodgson has some tough decisions to make regarding Eze’s replacement and it certainly won’t be easy given his contributions to the club.
According to the Mirror, Manchester City made an effort at the end of the summer transfer window to try to sign Eze, but Palace rejected a £60 million offer for the England international.
Being targeted by Pep Guardiola and his recruitment team says all you need to know about the ability that Eze possesses.
With Olise and Eze both unavailable, Hodgson must now find a system that does not rely on the creativity of his two attacking midfielders.
There doesn’t appear to be any similar replacement in terms of a natural number 10, but the Palace boss could tweak his system to try and deal with the situation.
HLTCO have suggested that Odsonne Edouard could be fit to return to the field and play at second base, but that is not something Hodgson likes to do too often unless he absolutely has to.
However, the host added that he was a little unsure of exactly how his team would form.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, HLTCO said.
Edouard, who is earning £90k-a-week, has enjoyed an impressive season at Selhurst Park so far, scoring four goals in six Premier League starts, as per FBref. If Hodgson can find a way to produce chances without Eze, then Edouard is going to be vital for this side going forward.
Olise and Eze are, of course, the two main options for Palace in this position. Matheus Franca may have been brought in during the summer transfer window to be utilised in a similar role, but the young Brazilian is yet to feature for his new club due to injury.
Jordan Ayew has played in a central role at times in his career, but that begs the question, who then plays out wide? Jesuran Rak Sakyi is a natural winger, but the 20-year-old has little experience playing in the Premier League. The only logical option seems to be an altering in shape for Hodgson, it`s just a huge shame considering how well it`s worked for him since his return to Selhurst Park last season.
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