Speaking recently on the HLTCO Podcast, Dan Cook discussed Crystal Palace’s links with Vitesse Arnhem left-back Max Clark, and what a move for the player could mean for the future of Patrick van Aanholt.
Since joining Palace from Sunderland in what was a £9.45 million deal back in 2017, Van Aanholt has gone on to feature 111 times for the Eagles, chipping in with 14 goals and providing five assists along the way.
However, a shoulder injury has meant that the Netherlands international has yet to feature for the club in their 2020/21 Premier League campaign, with Palace academy product Tyrick Mitchell stepping up in place of the 30-year-old.
Mitchell has impressed in both of his appearances for Palace so far this season, earning a WhoScored match rating of 7.07/10 in the club’s 1-0 victory over Southampton, and a match rating of 6.61 in their 3-1 defeat of Manchester United, with Roy Hodgson even comparing the left-back to fellow Crystal Palace academy graduate Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Due to these fine performances, the argument could be made that Van Aanholt, upon his return from injury, may struggle to force his way back into Hodgson’s starting XI.
In addition to this, with less than a year left on his current deal at Palace, the 30-year-old has openly stated he is unsure of whether or not he will remain a Palace player (0:30) beyond next summer. However, a report by Football Insider on Friday stated that the club are indeed looking to offer the left-back a new long-term deal.
Although, something that could further complicate who exactly is the club’s first-choice player in the position is if Palace go on to land Vitesse Arnhem left-back Max Clark, with whom the club have recently been linked.
This is a subject which Cook discussed at length on a recent episode of the HLTCO Podcast, with the podcaster addressing the potential implications for Van Aanholt if the club do indeed go on to sign the £608,000-rated Clark.
He said: “One potential link comes in the shape of [a] left-back from Vitesse Arnhem, Max Clark. Supposedly, Palace are in the market for a new left-back, with doubts over Patrick van Aanholt’s future. The Dutch international’s currently out injured after dislocating his shoulder at the end of last season, and now has under a year left on his deal in SE25.
“He’s openly voiced confusion over whether or not he’ll be staying at Selhurst [Park] for the foreseeable future because of his contract confusion, and indeed, Tyrick Mitchell, the academy graduate, has proven to be a very, very able deputy in Patrick’s absence.
“If indeed we are looking to go into a new direction, and obviously, with Pat having been a very key member of the first team for a number of years now, it comes as a bit of surprise, given how Roy Hodgson has seemingly viewed him.
“When you consider that Max Clark is 24, Tyrick Mitchell is 21 and Patrick van Aanholt is [30], it would make sense in terms of the general pattern of us trying to lower the average age of our squad.”
Do you feel Palace need to sign Clark, with Van Aanholt and Mitchell already in the squad?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
From Cook’s comments, it is clear that the podcaster is of the belief that the potential arrival of Clark would indeed seem to push Van Aanholt closer to an exit from Crystal Palace.
However, if the recent report by Football Insider is to be believed, then it would appear that Hodgson is intent on keeping the Dutchman at the club for a little while longer yet, and a new deal for the 30-year-old would seem to pour cold water on any potential move by the club for Clark.
Having said this, until a new deal is signed by Van Aanholt, or the transfer deadline passes without the club signing Clark, nothing is for sure just yet.