Crystal Palace have been linked with moves for Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson and Manchester City prospect Oscar Bobb, but one of the two appears a better fit for Oliver Glasner’s side.
The Eagles are actively searching for attacking reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window, with a lack of depth becoming increasingly clear. Glasner has found it difficult to rotate his squad during their Europa Conference League campaign, and that has had a knock on effect on domestic performances.
Although Christantus Uche was brought in to bolster the forward line, he has yet to earn the manager’s full trust, particularly in the Premier League. Romain Esse has also struggled for minutes, making only brief appearances, while Uche has featured sparingly and has not started a league match.
When comparing Johnson and Bobb, both would strengthen Palace’s attacking options, but they offer different qualities. Bobb is a more technical forward who drifts into central areas and links play, while Johnson is a more direct wide player who prefers to stay on the flank and run at defenders.
Bobb’s style appears better suited to Glasner’s system. He has regularly operated in central roles and could comfortably slot into one of the attacking midfield positions behind the striker. Johnson, by contrast, is more effective in teams that rely on natural width and traditional wingers.
Johnson is currently the more established player, while Bobb’s progress was slowed by a serious leg injury. Even so, Bobb has already shown his ability at senior level under Pep Guardiola and, at 22, still has significant room to develop. Palace could see him as a similar opportunity to their successful move for a young Manchester City talent who went on to flourish elsewhere.
The Telegraph has reported that Palace are considering a January approach for Johnson, with the forward potentially open to leaving Tottenham in search of regular football. Meanwhile, journalist Alan Nixon has suggested that Palace are planning to add two players in the winter window, with Bobb viewed as a more affordable option. Spurs are said to be demanding around £40 million for Johnson, making the City youngster an appealing alternative.