There is no African footballer that generates several mixed reaction like Togolese Captain, Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayo. Adebayo can be best described as a talented yet divisive and disruptive figure in equal terms. It is to this end,
that his signing for South London side (Crystal Palace) is still generating comments and reviews . For a player who has always been embroiled in controversies all his career, what remains is the question of when and not an if. This is because one doesn't know what to expect with Emmanuel Adebayo in your team.
The good bit is that Adebayo at 32 still has some years left in him and his experience and goals will be vital In a young Palace attack. He is a type of striker who knows how to find the back of net and his records show that he scored 62 goals in 142 games for Arsenal, 19 in 45 at Manchester City, 19 in 37 under Harry Rednapp in Tottenham and 18 in 37 games under Tim Sherwood in Tottenham. This will not only come as a boost but also this means Palace are guaranteed goals with him in the team. It should be noted that Crystal Palace have now gone 6 EPL games with no goal from their player stretching to mid-December 2015. Meanwhile The only goal that has being counted for Palace is Jan Vertonghen's own goal last weekend in a 3-1 defeat over Palace by Tottenham. Also worryingly, the likes of Conor Wickham, Dwight Gayle, Maroune Chamahk, Frazier Campbell, Patrick Bamford and Glenn Murray have all not scored from open play for Palace till date. This clearly makes the signing of Adebayo a Vital one in-order to avoid the relegation battle. It should also be noted that Adebayo came on a free transfer which came after he was released by Spurs last season, hence no transfer fee was spent on his purchase. Therefore, It is also rare to see a player of Adebayo's quality not being attached to a club, which gives a hint on his coverall contribution to his downfall or self destruction.
With the likes of Winfred Zaha, Yanick Bolasie and Yohan Cabaye creating chances and running at defenders , this will then open lots of spaces for the former Spurs man to rain in goals . With the deal a loan , it minimises the risk for Palace in case things go the way it was not planned.
The problem with this transfer is that it is clear a striker of his quality won't be a free agent if there was no excessive burden that comes along with his signing (ask Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham). The team unity and cohesive features at Selhurst Park could be at risk as the result of the presence of Adebayo. Adebayo has not played a competitive game since a 17 minutes game time in January 2014, hence getting his fitness might be a problem.
All his career, Adebayo has been a journey man, impressing at first then going ahead to cause havoc which destroys the ethics of team unity. This is the same reason , Andre Villas Boas ordered him to play for the youth reserves and ostracised him for the better part of his reign. It did not end there as Mauricio Porchetino , relinquished him of his duty as a Vice Captain and did not even name him on the bench on match days until the day he was sold. Old habits die hard , hence Alan Pardew and Crystal Palace fans should get ready to experience both the beauty and the beast till season end . There is a reason Adebayo has remained infamous with the fans and coaches in all the three clubs he has played in England (Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester City).
Pardew might have won the Jackpot with the striker but come May, the result will be clear for all.
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