Crystal Palace are looking at the possibility of taking Tottenham defender Ben Davies on a loan deal until the end of the campaign, according to the reports from the Guardian. The Welsh defender has been starved of first-team opportunities after making just three starts in the Premier League. The 23-year-old is capable of playing on the left or in central defence. However, his versatility has not been utilised by manager Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine has largely stuck with Danny Rose as his first choice left back and any defender would struggle to dispossess the England international from this position.
Davies does not appear to be in a great position as of now and his place in the international team could come under a threat as a result of this lack of regular first-team football. Davies has featured almost the same number of minutes in the Champions League. Crystal Palace have been disastrous defensively this season. Alan Pardew has been unable to stop the rot at the back despite undergoing several changes in terms of personnel and formation.
After having conceded 29 goals in the 15 league outings, Crystal Palace are only behind Hull City, Swansea City, and West Ham in terms of goals conceded.
Set pieces have been the biggest problem for Crystal Palace and Davies would be a great addition to the team as his 6-foot frame will be able to make them substantially better in terms of balls into the box. It appears to be a win-win situation for all parties involved. However, it remains to be seen if Tottenham would be ready to let the player leave in the January transfer window. The possibility of even a temporary departure from White Hart Lane depends on the club being able to add some reinforcements in January.
Crystal Palace have back-to-back top matches with the team taking on Manchester United on Wednesday night followed by a game against Chelsea during the weekend. It is quite possible that the goal record will become even worse by the end of these two games. Pardew has been a manager under pressure throughout the campaign and his team have only been able to stay away from the relegation zone with the season heading into the crucial Christmas fixture list.
The London outfit seems to have turned their attention towards Davies only after having rebuffed in the attempts to sign several other names. Leeds United defender Charlie Taylor was thought to be one of the primary transfer targets, but the Championship club priced Crystal Palace out of a move after placing a £6 million transfer value upon the player who has only six months left on his contract.
Davies moving on a loan deal could also help the player find some much-needed game time and improve himself on the pitch.
