Crystal Palace may have signed a £21 million Ebere Eze clone.
Roy Hodgson might have reproduced his star player if the Eagles had made one specific move…
Crystal Palace had a very quiet summer transfer window in compared to other Premier League clubs, but the manager is optimistic about the squad he will lead into the 2023/24 season.
Roy Hodgson acknowledged that if he were a Palace supporter, he would be “quite pleased” with the present team they had following deadline day, saying everything that needs to be said about the summer of business.
During the transfer window, four players joined Selhurst Park, with the club adding a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward to their squad.
The most expensive signing was Brazilian forward Matheus Franca for £26 million, a pittance in compared to the record £2.36 billion spent by Premier League clubs in the summer alone.
The Summer Arrivals at Crystal Palace
Player
Club
Fee
Lerma, Jefferson
Bournemouth
Free
Henderson, Dean
United Manchester
£20m
Mr. Matheus Franca
Flamengo
£26m
Holding, Rob
Arsenal
£4m
Continuing the pattern of continual rumours about potential new signings and departures, the Eagles were linked to a slew of talent throughout the window.
One of the most significant departures from Palace this summer was Wilfried Zaha, who left for a fresh adventure at Galatasaray after joining the south London club at the age of eight.
After 458 professional appearances, the Ivorian bid farewell, leaving a great void in the hearts and quality of the Selhurst Park squad, generating speculation about who would replace him.
As the deadline approached, speculation about players who could replace the vacuum left by the 30-year-old increased, but no changes were made, with one name, Luis Sinisterra, emerging as a potential star signing just prior to deadline day, a move that could have been critical to the Eagles.
Did Crystal Palace come close to signing Luis Sinisterra?
One day before deadline day, it was revealed that Palace were considering a late deal for Leeds United winger Sinisterra.
The Colombian had moved to the Premier League the previous summer, trading Feyenoord for Elland Road for a fee of £21 million, but like many other talents at Leeds, he was not looking forward to playing in the second division.
According to Football Transfers, Palace were ‘weighing up’ a late move for the 24-year-old with the intention of bolstering their assault.
As the deadline approached, Sinisterra did really get his Premier League move, but Palace did not receive him.
Although it was unclear whether the Eagles’ interest in the Colombian was genuine, he secured his future for the coming season by signing a loan agreement with Bournemouth on deadline day.
The Cherries made an impressive deal to sign the forward, but given the squad’s strengths and what they sacrificed early in the window, the player may have been a fantastic match for Palace.
What is the market value of Luis Sinisterra?
Leeds paid just over £20 million for the winger, who is now valued at €20 million (£17 million) by CIES Football Observatory.
While the loan is for a season, it is increasingly doubtful that the former Eredivisie star will return to Elland Road, with the manner of his departure reflecting a rift between the club and the player’s representatives.
According to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, Leeds sanctioned the loan transfer to avoid a lawsuit with Sinisterra because his relegation release clause had not been honored when Nice came knocking earlier in the window.
The condition expired, leaving the 24-year-old either stuck in Yorkshire with irate representatives or going to fulfill his desire to play in the Premier League.
Given that, it makes sense for the Whites to have loaned out their player, who is now anticipated to be sold upon his return rather than respecting his contract until 2027.
With his contract term in mind, as well as the fee paid by Leeds just last year to gain his signature, it’s thought that a price tag honoring such areas may see his future price soar over his present market value.
Luis Sinisterra has how many goals?
It’s easy to see why Leeds wanted to sign the Colombian last summer, and why Palace was rumored to be interested.
Deployable on both the left and right wing, the 2021/22 campaign rightfully caught the eyes of those at Elland Road, as he had a hand in 37 goals in all competitions for Feyenoord.
Scoring 23 and assisting 14 that year, the winger showcased his explosive ability in the final third, seeing him lauded as “magnificent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who referred to the forward as “The Colombian Flash.”
Luis Sinisterra Eredivisie Record
| Season | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| 2019/20 | 21 | 5 | 6 |
| 2020/21 | 20 | 3 | 6 |
| 2021/22 | 30 | 12 | 7 |
The Premier League can be a difficult hurdle for foreign players to overcome after excelling from afar, as suggested by Sinisterra’s record in his debut campaign in which he scored five league goals in 19 appearances.
It’s difficult to consider that the Colombian wasn’t cut out for the Premier League based on his ability, as Leeds struggled in what was a dreary season at Elland Road for all involved, ending in relegation to the Championship.
What could Luis Sinisterra have offered to Palace?
Sinisterra got his get-out of Elland Road card from the same occupier as Tyler Adams in joining Bournemouth, however, the thought can’t be erased of how dangerous of an addition he could have been to Palace.
The Eagles’ playing style has been to use the explosiveness of the wide players to threaten the opposition, a trait honed by Zaha and continued by players such as Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.
Indeed, according to FBref figures, Sinisterra’s averages in his first season were comparable to those of the Ivorian in the 2022/23 season, indicating how valuable his presence in Hodgson’s team may be.
heading away from the player he could replace, it’s easy to think about the player he could have become by heading to London.
Eze is undoubtedly the greatest player in the Selhurst Park squad right now, with Sinisterra displaying similar patterns of strength to the Englishman.
According to FBref, the former QPR player averaged 2.42 successful take-ons and 2.36 progressive carries per 90 minutes last season, which is comparable to the former Leeds player’s 3.11 progressive carries and 1.97 successful take-ons per 90 minutes for the Whites.
Hodgson might have attempted to find a replica for his star player by signing the Colombian, who would have excelled in the south London club’s style of play.
