[ad_pod ]

Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has been having his say on what Crystal Palace need to do in the summer transfer window, and he believes one of their priorities should be to bring Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi to Selhurst Park on a permanent basis.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Belgium international joined the Eagles on loan until the end of the season during the January transfer window, and he made a positive impression in south London with six goals in 13 appearances in all competitions for Roy Hodgson’s men.

That return was far modest but far more impressive than the likes of Christian Benteke and Jordan Ayew, who only managed to score half of that tally between them during the 2019/20 campaign.

Nicholas is certainly under no illusions as to whether Palace should look to sign Batshuayi.

He told Sky Sports: “People say Hodgson is cautious in defence but they don’t have a No 9. I would buy Batshuayi as he is better than Christian Benteke. Someone in Europe will buy him and then they need to keep the hardcore of the team.”

Should Crystal Palace keep hold of Max Meyer this summer? Harvey Jones discusses in the video below…

Is he right?

He certainly is.

There is absolutely no doubt that the 25-year-old is a class above Benteke in terms of both confidence and finishing ability, and Palace would be a much better team next season if they had the younger Belgian in their starting XI.

Chelsea’s potential transfer ban certainly makes negotiations difficult as things stand, but if the Eagles can offload the former Aston Villa man – as Nicholas says – it may boost their budget and allow them to give their London neighbours an offer they can’t afford to refuse.

Batshuayi knows the club and his potential future teammates now, so less work would be needed than if another new striker arrived in SE25.