Crystal Palace: Stoke’s Harry Souttar could be ideal Cahill successor

by Daniel Orme

3 minute read 31/3/2021 | 12:35pm

Crystal Palace could be set to bolster their squad with an exciting Championship talent in the form of Australian international Harry Souttar.

According to The Daily Express, the Eagles are keeping a close eye on the Stoke City defender, alongside the likes of West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 22-year-old would be the perfect addition to Roy Hodgson’s squad.

Signing for Stoke in the summer of 2016, Souttar has certainly had to bide his time to earn a chance at the Bet365 Stadium.

Who was your Palace March Player of the Month?

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Joel Ward

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Temporary spells with Ross County and Fleetwood Town saw him gain plenty of experience – the latter move seeing him draw considerable praise from former Cod Army manager Joey Barton who labelled the defender as “exemplary”.

He has continued that form back with his parent club by making 37 appearances in all competitions and has not missed a single minute of Championship action since mid-December.

Whilst the Premier League would be a test for him, considering the way that Souttar has continually adapted to Scottish Premiership, League One and Championship football, it would not be a surprise to see him do the same in the top-flight.

After all, he has also taken international football into his stride too having scored a surprising four goals in just his first two caps for Australia.

That is where the Eagles come in. The club will certainly be needing a defender next year with Mamadou Sakho, Scott Dann and Gary Cahill all seeing their contracts at Selhurst Park wind down.

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With the trio all being into their 30s – the latter being the oldest at 35 – younger recruits will certainly be welcome. Souttar fits that bill perfectly being only 22.

Taking his current performances and his age into account, it could certainly be bartered that Souttar will improve and should certainly be a player that Steve Parish should be looking at for both now and the future.

AND in more news, take a look at which striker Palace will soon be delighted to have off of their books…