Noel Whelan has suggested a Crystal Palace move for Arsenal’s young forward Eddie Nketiah this January.
Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan offered his thought on the situation of Eddie Nketiah. The Arsenal forward is facing an uncertain future at the club, with his current contract at Emirates expiring at the end of the season.
The player himself has been linked with a January exit from Emirates, with Leeds United and Aston Villa among clubs reportedly interested in his services, even though Mikel Arteta seemed to hint recently that the Gunners were looking at extending his stay at the club.
Nketiah has plied his trade at Leeds once under Marcelo Bielsa on loan. However, according to Whelan, the 22-year-old could be better suited to a move to Crystal Palace. During an interview with Football Insider, the former Leeds frontman spoke at length about the forward’s potential prospects at Selhurst Park, suggesting them as an ideal destination for the young talent.
“I think somebody like Crystal Palace. That would probably work well for him. He’s a young player. I think Patrick Vieira is liking that style and that energy about a younger side now,” said Whelan, who had featured in 53 competitive matches for Leeds during his professional career.
“When you look at the strikers that they’ve got in Benteke and Edouard, they’re very similar. They don’t really have a Nketiah kind of player. I think that might be a balance that might be quite nice for Patrick Vieira.
“When you’re thinking about a good, young British player that knows the league already, he’s perfect. Vieira is looking to bring players in and transform this Crystal Palace team,” he added before going on to point out the improved minutes Nketiah may receive at Palace, which, in turn, could be useful in relaunching his career.
“I think he’d probably get more guarantees of getting more minutes with Crystal Palace than he would with Arsenal. We see the style of football they’re playing. It’s attractive, it’s good to watch it’s energetic. I can see him fitting in really well there at Crystal Palace, if they decide that is a player they want to have on their books,” said the 46-year-old.
Eddie Nketiah was linked with a move to Selhurst Park late in the summer transfer window. Since then, the Eagles have not sounded out Arsenal over the young forward. However, it won’t be surprising to see the Arsenal academy star attracting interest, should he become available in January.
