Crystal Palace managed to see off fierce competition when they signed Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea at the end of the last transfer window.
And the Belgian was able to make an instant impact after he helped create the Eagles’ second goal in their recent 2-0 win over Fulham with his manager Roy Hodgson since coming out to speak about how the south London club’s good relationship with Chelsea enabled the deal to take place.
The Breakdown
“I can’t say I’m surprised about it, I’m very pleased about it,” Hodgson was quoted saying by the Independent when talking about the Batshuayi loan move. “A lot of it has to do with the relationship with Chelsea and Crystal Palace, Chelsea people and our chairman, Steve Parish.
“I thought we did a very good job last year with for Chelsea with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, he did a great job for us, we didn’t exactly send him back as a worse player or a player with less value, I think that stands in our favour.”
Hodgson is, of course, also talking about Loftus-Cheek’s successful loan spell at Selhurst Park last season which may have just opened the floodgates for Chelsea to start doing more business with Crystal Palace, which bodes extremely well for the 71-year-old.
Having helped Loftus-Cheek significantly with his development as a footballer, Crystal Palace have, in essence, earned Chelsea’s trust, which could see the Blues send more players on loan to Selhurst Park or give the Eagles the opportunity to sign anyone they no longer want.
By no means does the above mean that Crystal Palace are going to become the new Vitesse. But at a time where the club may not be able to fork out in the transfer market, the good working relationship they have with Chelsea could go a long way.
