‘What A Player’ – Crystal Palace Talent Impresses Former Derby County Man
Former Derby County star Shaun Barker has been left impressed with the performance of Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh, who he believes went up a level in the final 15 minutes against Bristol City.
The Crystal Palace loanee got his first goal for Paul Warne’s team, scoring in the 89th minute as the Rams registered their second win of the Championship season.
Barker was particularly impressed with Ozoh’s showing in the final ten to 15 minutes and believes that the teenager could easily have won Man of the Match award for his performance during that period.
Pointing to the differences in Ozoh’s performance in the matches against Middlesbrough and Bristol City Barker told Rams TV:” When you are dropping the two tens, I think against Middlesbrough when they dropped the tens in the position, David can be a little bit isolated.
“They found those little pockets a little bit too easy and it’s too hard for him to shift across and deal with them both.
“But as soon as they got the structure I thought he grew into the game.
“If you gave him another three or four minutes for choosing the player of the match he might have got it.
“He was that good in the last 5-10 minutes, he seemed to be more commanding, making more tackles didn’t lose the ball, drove forward got his goal.
“So another player that seemed to grow in confidence and his performance went up another level in the last ten 15 minutes.
“So, delighted for him,19 years old, only a few starts and what a player he is going to be for Derby this year.”
Derby’s next match in the Championship will be against Cardiff City when the clubs return from the international break.
Crystal Palace will be keeping close tabs on how Ozoh does during his loan spell at Pride Park, with the midfielder rated highly at Selhurst Park
According to Football Insider, Crystal Palace are ready to open contract talks with Tyrick Mitchell in a bid to keep the 25-year-old ever-present star for the long-term future. The Eagles’ star full-back is into the final year of his deal and has a huge market in front of him. So, the South London outfit want to tie him down for the foreseeable future.
Tyrick Mitchell has proved himself as a worthy player and certainly warrants a new deal at Crystal Palace or a big move elsewhere. By next summer, the left-back could assert himself as one of the top full-backs in the Premier League, which could see clubs queuing up for his signature.
Crystal Palace are aware of the rumblings surrounding the 25-year-old, with Manchester United already showing an interest during the summer. Mitchell’s current deal at Selhurst Park expires next summer, which could be a source of concern for the club, who are now ready to step up efforts to keep him.
Crystal Palace are ready to open talks with Mitchell over a new deal and keep him on board for the long-term future. The Eagles recognise his value and could offer a pay rise according to his stature. As things stand, he is the only recognised left-back in the team, who were angling to move for another option, including Robin Gosens and Filip Kostic during the summer window.
