Crystal Palace has been the home to many young talents over the years. The majority of them have gone on to play for top clubs in English and European football. Notable mentions include Gareth Southgate, Victor Moses, Wilfried Zaha and most recently Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The next in line seems to be 16-year-old Jadan Raymond.
But Raymond could literally skip English football. The Daily Mail reported last year that Valencia and SL Benfica were scouting the player. This was just after his exploits for the England U-17s in the Syrenka Cup.
Today we make a detailed review about Raymond’s situation at Palace. We shall also try to analyse his capabilities and scope in English football.
Jadan Raymond – Crystal Palace Youngster Eyed by Valencia and Benfica
Raymond’s Situation at Palace
The midfielder is in his last year of a youth contract with the Eagles. The club have been trying to tie him down to a contract renewal but have failed to come on terms with the youngster. The Englishman has probably already made his choice.
The Daily Mail cited that the interested parties from Spain and Portugal can sign Raymond for as little as £250,000.
Valencia and Benfica were alerted about the midfielder after he impressed in the Syrenka Cup for the England U-17 team. He even scored the winning penalty in the final of the tournament as the younger Three Lions lifted the trophy.
Probable Future of Raymond at Palace
The word around Selhurst Park is that the club rates Raymond very highly. He had featured for multiple sides for Palace during his current stint with their academy and has been impressive for the London-based club.
Palace’s midfield trio of James McArthur–James McCarthy–Cheikhou Kouyate are all above 29 years of age. If Roy Hodgson can give Raymond a chance in the coming seasons, it will be the perfect moment for the youngster as well as the club. A few cup games and a few substitute minutes in the league could really boost the youngster’s progress.
Raymond is a central midfielder who likes to play higher up the pitch and finds himself in goal-scoring opportunities many times during a match. If Palace can really bring another great prospect like him to their first team in the coming seasons, we can see another prospect like Wilfred Zaha in the making.
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