Crystal Palace are reportedly keen on signing a midfielder this summer and are keeping tabs on Strasbourg star Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
According to French journalist Santi Aouna, Premier League side Crystal Palace are keen to bring in a midfielder this summer and are keeping a keen eye on 23-year-old Strasbourg star Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
The 23-year-old Frenchman spent his formative years at Villetaneuse and Le Mans before moving to Lens in 2013. He spent three years in their youth systems before making his senior bow in 2016. Bellegarde made 73 appearances for the club, scoring seven times and assisting five goals before moving to Strasbourg in 2019.
Bellegarde has settled well into life at La Meinau, emerging into a key player for Les Bleu et Blanc. The French midfielder has so far won 102 caps for the Ligue 1 outfit, scoring four goals and assisting five more. While his numbers in attack do not inspire confidence, it is at the other end of the pitch that he impresses.
Primarily a defensive midfielder, the 23-year-old is a bundle of energy and is not afraid to get stuck in. He is also adept at carrying the ball and is capable of playing through balls if needed.
?Info: Crystal Palace va recruter un milieu de terrain cet été. Plusieurs joueurs ciblés dont :
• Cheick Doucouré ?? (22 ans), RC Lens.
• Jean-Ricner Bellegarde ?? (23 ans, RC Strasbourg.
Avec @sebnonda pic.twitter.com/t5uxWf9VdL
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) May 9, 2022
A former youth international for Les Bleus, Bellegarde is yet to feature for the French senior squad. Moving to the Premier League and playing under Patrick Vieira would certainly aid his development. The Crystal Palace boss was among the finest midfielders of his generation and will be a good influence on the 23-year-old Strasbourg ace.
The Eagles have done well in the Premier League this season and also made it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup. One player who was central to their success was Chelsea loanee, Conor Gallagher. The young Englishman will likely return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, leaving Crystal Palace with an energetic player short in the middle of the park.
Bellegarde has energy in abundance but still has some ways to go before emerging as a reliable midfielder. His poor passing and inability to hold onto the ball could make him a liability in the fast-paced Premier League. At 23, there is still time for him to develop his game. If not Bellegarde, Crystal Palace could target Cheick Doucoure, with recent reports linking him with the Eagles quite heavily.
