Why Crystal Palace should swoop for hardly-used Arsenal star after Doucoure blow

Crystal Palace have been dealt a devastating blow as midfielder Cheick Doucoure has now been ruled out with a long-term injury, and they will need to dip into the transfer market to replace him.

Doucoure was one of Palace’s key midfield options, and has been an excellent performer since his arrival last summer, but Roy Hodgson will now have to make do without him until the latter stages of the season at least.

Given that Palace failed to replace club legend Wilfried Zaha in the summer, fans may be pessimistic about the quality of replacement, if any, that Palace may recruit for Doucoure in the winter window.

It is clear that Palace need someone who can come in and settle quickly in the midfield, bringing both energy and defensive solidity, and a move for Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny may make perfect sense.

Although Elneny himself has recently returned from a long-term layoff, he is generally reliable with his fitness, and could be available for a low fee in the January transfer window.

It was recently reported that Arsenal would consider January offers for the 31-year-old, given that his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

The signing of Declan Rice has pushed Elneny further down the pecking order at Arsenal, and given that he would not have to move very far across Arsenal, the prospect of regular minutes could appeal to him.