From QPR to Newcastle, Chelsea, and then Palace...how the mighty have fallen. I guess he moved to England with high hopes, but has it just gone wrong as he isn't good enough, or injury prone, or just bad luck? Hope he does well at Palace though...I've liked them ever since we beat them 6-0.
He could probably play for a Champions League club abroad but I'm sure he has a superb life in London and doesn't fancy giving that up. He'll play 30 or so games for Palace, score 10-15 goals and probably increase his value to give him a choice of sitting out more time in Chelsea's reserves, moving to West Ham or similar next season in a similar deal before a big money year or two in Qatar/China and a lovely retirement aged 32. Decent work.
I wouldn't say he's fallen. Palace aren't exactly a lowly club these days and playing week in week out on a higher mid table premier league team is better than sitting on the bench (or not even that) at Chelsea.
He just made a very poor career decision. We all thought he was nailed-on to go to Arsenal which would have suited his and their style of play, unfortunately Wenger dithered as usual and he only bid for him after Chelsea made their move for him. Accepting he was only ever going to be back-up at Chelsea sealed his fate, he just hasn't had that swagger he had before that move. He'll be working with Pardew again and if he can find the form he had at Newcastle he may resurrect his career and get a decent permanent move, if he fails both he and Pardew will be on their way...
