This Crystal Palace attacker most under threat of losing his place in Patrick Vieira’s new-look team

BY EDMUND BRACK

Jordan Ayew’s determined defensive commitment, his desire to drive the team up the pitch and win one of his trademark free-kicks to relieve pressure, and his overall contribution to Crystal Palace are valuable assets to the side. But he lacks the most vital aspect at the moment of what an attacking player needs in Patrick Vieira’s new-look Crystal Palace team – goal contributions.

Ayew last found the back of the net 35 games ago, when he scored in the 4-1 win over Leeds United in November 2020. Although his work rate is important to an Eagles team that is beginning to click into a rhythm, the Ghanaian international missed a glorious opportunity to hand Palace all three points against arch-rivals Brighton on Monday evening.

The Eagles’ persistent attacking press, which closed down the away side 81 times over the 90 minutes, finally wore down an attritional Brighton as they began to carve gaps in their defence.

The tiring Seagulls backline, who had suffered a pressurised onslaught since the first whistle, were starting to make mistakes and playing passes awry.

Marc Cucurella, who Ayew was pressing, played a rushed pass into the feet of Gallagher, who managed to squeeze the ball past the Spanish left-back for Christian Benteke.

The Belgian substitute drew Lewis Dunk towards him and fed the ball into the path of the onrushing Ayew. Left one-on-one with Robert Sanchez, Ayew’s 77th-minute shot from inside the area only found the side netting and left the game open for Brighton to steal a point away from Selhurst Park.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who was on punditry duty for Sky Sports, felt Ayew should have played the ball back to the waiting Benteke instead, who had the goal at his mercy.

“That’s the better option,” said Henry, a former team-mate of Vieira and who hit 175 goals in 258 Premier League matches. “You score, I come and celebrate with you – we do some somersault or whatever you want, we slide on our knees.

“If you don’t score, I would have killed you. Give me the ball….that is a sure goal.

“In that position, I’m thinking Benteke [is the right choice]. This is where, in the Premier League, that’s a 2-0. Yes, he could have scored. But what about this [passing to Benteke], that’s 2-0 and we’re not talking anymore.”

For all of Ayew’s running, work ethic and endeavour, Palace need their forward players to be clinical and not snatch at chances when presented with them.

On Monday night, Ayew missed one big chance, failed to record successful dribbles and didn’t manage to achieve a single successful cross.

While the Eagles didn’t have an abundance of clearcut chances that left the home fans rueing several missed opportunities, Ayew’s miss left a sour taste for many.

His industrious perseverance can never be questioned, and his ability to pick the ball up by his own penalty area and ease defensive pressure is exemplary, but Vieira will be looking to ease the goalscoring burden from Wilfried Zaha.

Zaha duly recorded his customary goal against Brighton. His cool and precise finish from the penalty spot means he has netted five times in his last five matches against the Seagulls at Selhurst Park. The academy graduate has scored more goals against Brighton – eight – than any other club in his career.

Zaha marked his 400th appearance for the South Londoners by dispatching the ball past Robert Sanchez, staying on spot-kick duties despite Luka Milivojevic returning to the starting line-up.

It moved Zaha joint level in Palace’s goalscorers tally, with Conor Gallagher and Odsonne Edouard, all on two. The trio are the only ones to get on the scoresheet in the opening seven matches.

For the price that the Eagles paid Swansea back in 2019 for Ayew’s services – around the £2million mark – they have certainly received their money’s worth in terms of end product, especially during the 2019-20 season when Ayew won Player of the Year and finished as the club’s top goalscorer on nine. But his lengthy dry spell puts his position at serious threat.

Michale Olise is eagerly awaiting his first Premier League start after completing his £8m move from Reading. Last season’s EFL Young Player of the Season, who produced seven goals and 12 assists, has seen his start to life in SE25 disrupted by a back fracture which he had before signing.

Olise would also help draw the attention of the opposition defence away from Edouard and Zaha, as the 19-year-old aims to prove he possesses the movement and trickery to frighten defenders at a top-flight level.

Olise’s brief cameos against Tottenham and Liverpool suggest he can bring an exciting, attacking flair to the side, playing a role in the Eagles’ third against the north Londoners and twisting James Milner inside out at Anfield.

Vieira himself admitted following the game that it was “his responsibility” to find a goalscoring tune from Ayew, but the 30-year-old is missing much-needed confidence. While Roy Hodgson would prefer his wingers to double up as defensive players to help out the full-backs, Vieira has spoken openly about giving the players the belief to express themselves.

Ayew’s commitment is irreplaceable, but a forward’s main task should be to bring goals to the team – Olise could be the key to unlocking Palace’s goalscoring exploits.