Crystal Palace defender hopes for January transfer window activity

BY ALESSANDRO SCHIAVONE

Joachim Andersen hopes Crystal Palace can add to the squad in the January transfer window.

The Eagles are yet to make a signing, with the winter window slamming shut at midnight on February 1.

Palace signed Dean Henderson, Jefferson Lerma, Matheus Franca and Rob Holding in the summer but failed to replace Wilfried Zaha, who joined Galatasaray on a free transfer.

Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Cheick Doucoure have all suffered injuries throughout the season.

Roy Hodgson’s side are 14th in the Premier League and were knocked out of the FA Cup following a 1-0 third round replay defeat at Everton on Wednesday.

Andersen told the South London Press: “Hopefully, now [we’re] in the transfer window, we can sign a few more players to get some extra depth – some extra quality added to the team. Up-front and wherever we need it. 

“Let’s see what the club can do. 

“We played six months without Zaha – he was a top player. Against Everton, we missed Olise. He’s our player who can do those kinds of things – bring a little bit of magic when we need it.

“Ebs also played a good game (against Everton) but missed the last pass, the last finish to score. 

“We have the players capable of doing that. 

“He [Eze] is a top player, obviously, and already so many teams have him on their list. 

“For me, Eze is one of our best players and he’s shown that for some years now. 

“He’s also around the English team – he has a huge future.”

Facing an Arsenal side low on confidence after three consecutive defeats will certainly not make it any easier.

Yet Palace have held Man City to a draw and seen off Man United already this season.

He said: “Against Arsenal, it’s going be a totally different game. It’s two different playing styles but we showed in the league that we can get some results against the good teams. 

“The first game against them at home we were close, playing a good game. 

“We need to see what we did well there, and hopefully, we can make the same performance. 

“I am sure that if we do that we can get something out of the game.

“Like I said we had good results against some good teams this season already. 

“We showed we can do it and that’s the belief. 

“We need to go to the Emirates and believe we can get something out of the game.”

Palace were undone by an exquisite Andre Gomes free-kick at Goodison Park on Wednesday which allowed Everton to book a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The South Londoners were left ruing a barrage of missed chances on the night.

He said: “I don’t think we allowed many chances against Everton. 

“To be honest, we should have won, and it was just one of those where they made a good goal. 

“What can you say? It’s a fantastic goal. 

“We played an alright game – it was a positive performance.”