The Crystal Palace have struggled to score goals this season, conceding 25 goals in 22 games so far this season, making them the fifth-worst scorers in Premier League.
That’s despite taking 13.9 shots per game (10th most in the division) with their average xG per shot of 0.12.
With their options in forwards Jean Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah – who was a big spender this summer – the Eagles could instead add goals to their squad behind the forwards, aiming to replace the output of Michael Olise who left in the summer window.
Crystal Palace are looking for new strikers
According to reports the Italian newspaper Firenze Viola In recent days, Crystal Palace have emerged as potential suitors for Botafogo winger Luiz Henrique.
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Other interested clubs include Fiorentina, who offered Botafogo around €20m (£16.8m), but the Brazilian side were not convinced by the offer.
Reports suggest a fee of around €30m (£25m) would be required to take the 24-year-old winger away from the club in the January window. However, it is not known whether Palace will be ready to meet such a asking price.
Henrique has He has made 55 appearances since joining Botafogo in 2024scored 12 goals and recorded six assists.
How Henrique compares to Romain Esse
On Saturday the Eagles confirmed it that they have officially signed Romain Esse from Championship side Millwall.
He has this season he made 26 appearancesscoring five goals, one assist and playing a total of 2165 minutes.
Esse is, of course, five years younger than Henrique and would command a lower fee, but you’d also bet on him making the seamless jump from the Championship to the Premier League. That being said, Henrique has played in LaLiga and Brazil’s Serie A, so he would also make a change and could potentially struggle with physicality to begin with.
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Comparison between Luiz Henrique and Romain Esse |
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|---|---|---|
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Statistics (per 90 minutes) |
Henrique |
Esse |
|
Objectives |
0.30 |
0.21 |
|
Assists |
0.14 |
0.04 |
|
xG |
0.29 |
0.10 |
|
xAG |
0.13 |
0.20 |
|
Progressive mounts |
2.94 |
1.65 |
|
Progressive passes |
2.66 |
3.26 |
|
Total strokes |
2.14 |
1.38 |
|
Key passes |
1.21 |
1.21 |
|
Actions to create a shot |
3.52 |
3.13 |
|
Successful downloads |
2.91 |
2.28 |
|
Statistics taken from FBref |
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When comparing the two wide players’ metrics this season, Henrique has a much better performance, both in goals and assists. However, Esse has shown his ability to create chances for his team, with a higher xAG (expected goals assisted) which could lead to more of his assists when surrounded by better players.
Henrique and Esse average 1.21 key passes per 90, as well as more than three shot creation actions per 90, which shows their ability to create chances. The 24-year-old (Henrique) however offers more power and goal threat, has a higher volume of shots with more goals at 90.
The Brazilian is tagged as “an absolute sensation” by scout Jacek Kulig, while playing for Brazil in World Cup qualifiers. Henrique’s quality is obviously great, but the biggest challenge would be fitting into one of/if not the most physical league in the world.
The aim for either of these players, should they both arrive this January, would be to replace some of the assets Palace lost in the summer, especially when one of their crown jewels, Michael Olise, left the club. Both players have elements in their game, adding an attacking spark, but whether they will produce enough immediately remains to be seen.
