Newcastle United will face one of their former wingers on Friday as he faces an uncertain future at Crystal Palace.
After a disappointing loss vs. Chelsea over the weekend, Newcastle United are back in action on Friday vs. Crystal Palace. Wilfried Zaha has been the star of the season for Palace with five goals already in 2020. While he may miss the match due to a positive COVID-19 test, Newcastle will want to focus their attention on a different Palace attacking player for multiple reasons.
Andros Townsend has started all nine Premier League matches this season. The former Newcastle winger has two assists on the season and scored his lone goal in a win over Manchester United.
The Magpies will be looking to slow down Townsend on Friday, but could he be back to showcasing his skills in the black and white stripes again next season?
Townsend’s contract is up after this season and while Palace seems interested in signing him to an extension, Newcastle United could use a reliable player on the right wing. Back in the 2015/16 season, Townsend played in 13 matches for NUFC and scored four goals and added two assists. One of those goals was the match-winner in a 1-0 victory for the Magpies in their third-to-last match of the season…against Crystal Palace.
Following Newcastle’s relegation at the end of that season, Townsend joined Crystal Palace where he’s played in over 150 matches, scoring 16 goals and assisting on 25 more.
Newcastle could target bringing Townsend back to Tyneside on a free transfer next summer potentially. When they face him on Friday, the hierarchy at Newcastle will be hoping the club can stop him and also see how he may fit into the club’s future.