Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is being cautious with his new summer signings, deciding against throwing them straight into side.

That includes Max Meyer, who surprised everyone by deciding to join the Eagles following his contract expiring at former club Schalke.

However, James McArthur believes it is only a matter of time before Meyer makes his mark at Selhurst Park and fills the Yohan Cabaye-shaped hole in the team.

The Breakdown

"Both fit quite similarly," McArthur told the South London Press when asked if there were similarities between Meyer and Cabaye.

"They both manipulate the ball really well and have real quality. He [Meyer] will be a top player for us."

Assessing Crystal Palace's squad, most of Hodgson's midfield options are all similar. The likes of £5.4m-rated (via Transfermarkt) McArthur, Luka Milivojevic and Cheikhou Kouyate are players more renowned for what they offer when the team is without possession of the ball.

With that in mind, like Cabaye, Meyer can offer the Eagles something a bit different in the middle of the park and a little bit more of quality on the ball.

Neither of the two have managed to rack up a tonne of assists in the past couple of seasons, but Meyer is still able to go past a player or play a through ball that can unravel a defence.

The Germany international's addition is one Hodgson desperately needed and also one that will add what Crystal Palace had lost following Cabaye's departure.