I don’t get it. Why on earth would Cheikhou Kouyate want to move to Crystal Palace? And why on earth would be want to sell him? Answers on a postcard, please…
We bought Kouyate from Anderlecht in June 2014. Since then, he’s made 129 appearances, scoring 12 goals. I will admit that last season wasn’t his best, but he played a lot of it with an injury. He still managed 33 Premier League games, scoring two goals. On his day he is surely one of the first names on the teamsheet. He’s also a very cheerful character who, I’m told, is hugely popular in the dressing room.
We bought Kouyate for around £8 million, yet we’re told that he may be sold for as little as £10 million. Ten. Million. Quid. I ask you. He’s still only 28 and the next three or four years ought to be the best of his career. I’d have thought £20-£25 million would be a fairer valuation.
Watching Kouyate’s driving runs from box to box is an absolute pleasure. He’s scored some fantastic goals, not just with his right foot, but also his head. He’s also deceptively quick. If we were going to sell a midfield player, then I’d rather sell Obiang, although in reality I want to keep them both. But Obiang is also said to be avilable for less than £10 million. These are established Premier League players and yet we seem to be countenancing selling either or both of them on the cheap. Strange times.
If we are about to buy a better player than Kouyate, then fine, but the names mentioned so far (including Danny Drinkwater) do not lead me to think that will be the case. I say that with regret because I think the club has done some tremendous business in this transfer window. I hope they prove me wrong on this one, but if Kouyate is still a West Ham player come the end of the transfer window, no one will be happier than me.
UPDATE: Since I wrote this last night, it’s been confirmed that Kouyate’s move to Palace has been finalised. The fee is a measly £9.5 millon with £1.5 of add-ons. We’ve been had. Kouyate has said…
bq.“I’m so happy. It’s been a long day but now everything is good and I’m very excited to start with my new teammates. This is the right time to move because I needed a new challenge. I have good memories of West Ham but I need to come here and give my best because I like the Crystal Palace project. “I spoke to the manager and I know he’ll be a good manager. I also spoke to Pape Souare yesterday and he told me I had to come and now I’m here and I’m very happy.”
I wish him well, for all the reasons I set out above. I fear this is one player we will regret losing.