Here is your Crystal Palace morning digest on Friday April 3.
Eagles set to sign Ferguson at second time of asking
The breakdown in negotiations between West Brom and Crystal Palace in January saw Nathan Ferguson miss out on a dream move to the Premier League.
A knee injury discovered during a medical with the Eagles prevented a switch from the Championship earlier this year, but reports suggest that the 19-year-old is set to make a move permanent this summer.
Corrective surgery on the knee issue that halted a move to Selhurst Park has seen Ferguson miss out on Championship action since January, but Palace are reportedly confident of signing the promising teenager in the coming months.
Jordan Ayew player of the season?
In a poll with almost 400 votes from Crystal Palace fans, Jordan Ayew is the fans favourite for the Eagles’ best player of the season so far.
The striker topped the voting with 35% of the votes whilst goalkeeper Vicente Guaita trailed close behind with 32% of voters picking the goalkeeper.
Both Ayew and Guaita have been in fine form this season for Roy Hodgson’s side at both ends of the pitch. Ayew’s eight goals this campaign sees him top of the club’s goal-scoring charts in what has been a highly efficient season for the striker.
Before the break in fixtures, Ayew had netted in consecutive matches against Brighton and Watford which may play some part in the poll’s results.
Guaita has arguably been equally important for the Eagles as they boast one of the best defences in the league this season. 32 goals conceded in the league this season has been a key element in the side’s good form and the goalkeeper looks to have made an impression with the fanbase.
Amongst other contenders, Gary Cahill received 18% of votes whilst Wilfried Zaha earned just 8% from fans.
Former owner Jordan gives PL broadcasting verdict
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan presented his view on how the Premier League and the EFL should approach the break in football.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s show with Jim White and Natalie Sawyer, Jordan stated that clubs should be doing all they can to get football back as soon as the time is right.
However, the main part of the discussion involved a heated debate with Portsmouth’s Chief Executive Mark Catlin. Jordan argued that clubs in the EFL should be doing better at managing their finances.
“It should not be the responsibility of the Premier League to fund the Football League. But you are in the eye of a storm right now and the short-term opportunities whether the Premier League had to hand back £750million to broadcasters is down to their negotiation,” said the former Palace owner.
He continued by arguing that the broadcasting partnership between Sky and the Premier League is set to reach a crucial point.
“Sky’s had years and years and years and years of enormous opportunity and if they can’t kill the golden goose for one year there’s a major problem with the broadcasting relationship.
“The biggest problem for the Premier League at this time is there is a mooting of the fact the broadcasters are going to have the audacity to ask for £750m back.”
