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After his recent two-goal showing against Arsenal, which won Southampton all three points in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first home game in charge, Danny Ings is proving that he can perform like a top striker when fit – something that Crystal Palace will be kicking themselves over.
What’s the word, then?
Back in the summer, the Eagles were reportedly interested in signing the 26-year-old from Liverpool, but inexplicably decided against signing the former Burnley man in favour of taking Jordan Ayew on loan from Swansea.
Somewhat less inexplicably, Palace were concerned over the striker’s fitness and ability to stay injury-free, after Ings made just 14 Premier League appearances in three seasons with Liverpool – their concerns were fair ones, but have yet to be justified after his excellent start to life on the South Coast.
Ings has scored seven goals in all competitions for the Saints this season as well as recording one assist, and looks to have found his groove once again after a turbulent time at Anfield. Southampton do however have an obligation to buy the forward for £20m once his season-long loan deal ends, which is perhaps what put Palace off originally.
Should they have signed him?
Categorically, yes. The south London side were desperate for a goalscorer in the summer and failed to acquire one – Ayew, who they chose over Ings, is yet to even look like scoring for Roy Hodgson’s side.
Even though Ings was a huge risk due to his injury history, and the fact that they would’ve been obligated to sign him for a big fee no matter how he did, it should’ve been taken.
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The former Bournemouth striker has proved at Burnley that he can be prolific when his body is kind to him. He scored 26 goals back in the 2013/14 season as the Clarets won promotion to the Premier League, and then bagged 11 in his first season as a top-flight player.
Ings proved against the Gunners that he can be a matchwinner, even against the best of sides – he was a risk, admittedly, but one that Palace should have taken.