Crystal Palace given front-row seat to summer target’s audition, he could be their own Kevin De Bruyne
Oliver Glasner could already be begging the Crystal Palace hierarchy to splash the cash on one of AZ Alkmaar’s most exciting prospects.
Palace claimed a 3-1 win over AZ in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, 6 November, even despite Jean-Philippe Mateta missing from the penalty spot to open the scoring.
Maxence Lacroix was on hand to spare his striker’s blushes, with Ismaila Sarr continuing his form for Palace with a brace, scoring either side of half-time to ensure AZ’s goal was just a consolation.
The Eagles did very little business during the summer transfer window, at least not until the final few days, but Glasner’s side have gone from strength to strength, even with European football to worry about.
He could make his midfield even stronger in January, however.
Oliver Glasner able to watch summer target with his own eyes
During the summer, Palace were extremely interested in signing Kees Smit, and if his performance against Palace was anything to go by, the Premier League club might be returning for his signature.
At just 19 years of age, Smit has already been compared to Kevin De Bruyne, and the Europa Conference League display would have been one that the Man City icon was proud of.
Multiple giants across Europe are tracking the Dutchman’s progress, and it is no surprise, really. If the Eagles are to land his signature in a future transfer window, they will need to act fast.
Glasner must be hugely impressed by how the youngster took the game to the Premier League club, making it extremely difficult for his midfield stars to do their absolute best in Europe.
How did Kees Smit perform against Crystal Palace?
Smit grabbed the assist as Sven Mijnans pulled his side back into the game, though any hopes were quickly squashed as Sarr grabbed a third goal before being substituted.
Nonetheless, the Dutch gem continued pressing, continued making chances for his teammates, and never stopped believing that he could play a key role in getting AZ back into the game.
| Kees Smit vs Crystal Palace | Stats [FotMob] |
| Minutes played | 80 |
| Goals / Assists | 0 / 1 |
| Chances created | 1 |
| Shots (On target) | 3 (1) |
| Successful dribbles | 75% (3/4) |
| Passes into the final third | 5 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Ground duels won | 56% (5/9) |
If there was ever a performance to scream, ‘come and get me’, it would be this one, given that Palace were credited with a huge interest in the player, as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Eagles’ chosen midfield duo, Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma, while they are experienced and Premier League-level, Smit could have a huge impact on Glasner’s team in the future.