Crystal Palace sign Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea for second time

Crystal Palace sign Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea for second time
By The Athletic Staff
Sep 8, 2020

Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi has signed for Crystal Palace on loan for a second time, reports Dominic Fifield.

Chelsea have handed Batshuayi a one-year contract extension, to protect his value and prevent him from leaving Stamford Bridge for free next summer. He will again wear the No 23 shirt for the club.

Palace have an option — rather than an obligation — to purchase Batshuayi permanently at the end of the loan.

Why has he decided to re-join Palace?

A few weeks ago, the decision might have been considered a surprise. Batshuayi’s contract had entered its final 12 months and, with Timo Werner, Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud ahead of him in the pecking order, there was little prospect of him featuring at Chelsea.

He was resistant to the idea of going out on loan and wanted a fresh start elsewhere, but no firm interest materialised.

When he was forced to quarantine and failed to make the cut for the Belgium squad for the Nations League games against Denmark and Iceland, his stance shifted overnight (he subsequently returned as a replacement for Yannick Carrasco and scored twice on Tuesday night). A loan suddenly seemed more appealing.

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Where will he fit in at Selhurst Park?

His assimilation into the squad should be seamless. Batshuayi scored five Premier League goals in nine league starts for Palace in 2018-19, was popular in the dressing room – not least with Wilfried Zaha – and a favourite of the manager, Roy Hodgson, and the hierarchy.

The Belgian becomes a short-term fix – albeit at a premium given loan fees and wages – for a long-standing problem. Palace scored 31 league goals last season, their lowest ever tally.

It does not solve the issue in the long-term. Palace had aspired to secure Ollie Watkins or Odsonne Edouard, though they ended up priced out of the race for both. They retain an interest in Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster, but could still potentially pursue that in what remains of the window.

Is this the end for him at Chelsea?

The writing was on the wall for Batshuayi some time ago. Chelsea have welcomed players like Werner and Havertz at great expense, so Batshuayi’s contract extension is purely to preserve some value.

The Athletic understands he has no long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

What does this mean for Palace's current strikers?

It should really just increase competition. Jordan Ayew did well last term and will remain a key player, but Christian Benteke endured injury and suspension, and Connor Wickham’s fitness struggles are well established.

If there is interest in Benteke, who is on a considerable wage and is into the last year of his contract, then it is conceivable that he will be allowed to leave this window. The same could be said for Wickham.

Who else will Palace move for?

There remains the option to re-enter the market, and further attacking recruits would be welcome.

There is strong interest in Said Benrahma at Brentford and Ismaila Sarr at Watford, as well as Brewster. But, while the recruitment department have been working hard to strengthen the first-team set-up – with Nathan Ferguson and Eberechi Eze already secured – there is a parallel drive to sign younger players for the future.

The likes of Ipswich Town’s midfielder Flynn Downes and Armel Bella-Kotchap, a centre-half at German club Bochum, could yet move to south London.

(Photo: Crystal Palace)

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