Why did Malcolm Ebiowei choose Crystal Palace over Man Utd?
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 1 Jul 2022 10:29 BST
- 4 min read
Crystal Palace have officially completed the signing of talented Derby County forward Malcolm Ebiowei on a five-year deal.
The 18-year-old has become Patrick Vieira's first signing of the summer after his contract at Derby expired on 30 June.
Ebiowei was handed his Championship debut by Wayne Rooney last season, and had racked up 16 league appearances and one goal by the end of the campaign.
Related articles
Despite the infant nature of his senior career last season, Ebiowei stood out for Derby, and although he was unable to keep them in the division, his performances caught the eyes of Premier League scouts.
Crystal Palace quickly emerged as one interested party, while Manchester United also registered their liking of the player.
Erik ten Hag's side are searching for multiple new players this summer as the Dutchman initiates a clear-out at the club, and Ebiowei was one such target. The Old Trafford side have identified central midfield and left-back as major issues, hence the pursuits of Frenkie de Jong and Tyrell Malacia, but right wing is also deemed a position of great need.
Jadon Sancho was signed last summer to finally provide the club with a quality right-sided attacker, but the Englishman proved better suited to playing on the opposite flank. The summer sale of Daniel James to Leeds United meant academy graduate Anthony Elanga was often used in that role.
As a result, Man Utd have targeted a new right winger this summer, with Ajax's Antony coming up in conversation, as well as Ebiowei's.
However, despite clear interest from Man Utd, Ebiowei opted to join Crystal Palace instead. With Elanga playing more league minutes than Michael Olise last season, it could be argued that Ebiowei had a greater chance of regular game-time at Man Utd, but he decided to join Crystal Palace.
Why did Ebiowei chose Crystal Palace over Man Utd?
Speaking to PalaceTV upon signing, Ebiowei revealed the reasons for his decision. "I'm delighted, I’m over the moon," he said. "I'm south London born and bred, so it’s a plus for me.
"I have seen a lot of players step up from the Championship to the Premier League and get their chance playing, and I was thinking that I would like to take that chance as well.
"I'm very excited – a bit nervous but that’s a part of it really. Excited.
"I'm grateful to the gaffer [Wayne Rooney], the staff. It [Derby] will always have a place in my heart. They put their trust in me and gave me a chance. I’m very grateful to them and they know that.
"In the beginning [the Championship] was mad hard. It was still hard [at the end] but I got used to it. It was a good experience.
"I'd like to learn off [Wilfried] Zaha for example, because he’s been doing it at the highest level for a very long time now. I'd like to learn off him."
The success stories of the aforementioned Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi in stepping up from the Championship to Crystal Palace with consummate ease clearly played a major part in Ebiowei's decision to reject Man Utd.
Malcolm is back in South London 👊 #CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 1, 2022
The Old Trafford club don't have the luxury of patience as results have to be positive or changes will be made, whereas he'll be given time to develop at Crystal Palace.
Vieira was very careful with easing Olise into the side last season, and he certainly could've featured more regularly. However, the Arsenal legend opted for patience rather than to throw him straight into the deep end, and a similar story will likely be seen with Ebiowei.
A local winger with immense dribbling ability and close control, Ebiowei suits the Palace mould to a tee and the move seems like the perfect fit.
