{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
View: Here's what Crystal Palace fans can expect from new signing Malcolm Ebiowei
Crystal Palace confirmed the signing of 18-year-old wonderkid Malcolm Ebiowei on 26 June from Derby County.
The South London club will pay a compensation fee to the East Midlands club [Derby Telegraph] for the youngster’s services and had to beat off interest from several clubs, namely Manchester United.
He signed a five-year deal with the Eagles and he already has Palace fans salivating at what this young starlet could eventually become.
So what can Palace fans expect from Ebiowei when he does settle at Selhurst Park?
- Speed and Explosiveness
Ebiowei is a very explosive and powerful runner, with or without the ball. He is left-footed and likes to play on the right-wing in a Riyad Mahrez-esque manner.
He made his debut for the Rams in February 2022 after joining the under-18s set-up only one month prior and impressing them immediately, making the level look easy.
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
He scored 10 goals in nine games across all competitions, including hat-tricks against Leeds United and Chelsea.
Standing at six foot one, he is not your common, nimble winger with his frame making him even more of a handful for defenders.
Since coming into the team he made the right-wing his own and was a terror for opposition left-back in the 16 appearances he made from February onwards.
His power and dynamic running can be likened to a Kylian Mbappe type of wing-play and the enticing thought of him linking up with other young attacking talents like Ebere Eze and Michael Olise should excite all Palace fans.
2. Mental toughness
Another aspect to Ebiowei that will excite Palace fans, is his mental toughness despite his young age.
He has had to develop quickly and plied his trade at some of the best academies in the world dealing with rejection and living away from home throughout his earlier days.
He started his career at Chelsea foundation at the age of seven before signing for their academy two years later.
He then moved to Arsenal at the age of 11 and played there for five years before having a short stint in Scotland with Rangers.
He eventually joined Derby County in 2021 and his impressive performances at Pride Park earned him his move to Selhurst Park.
Being a shining light in a dark season for the Rams, and dealing with the insurmountable pressure that would have been on him and his teammates at the time is a testament to his mental toughness
He has health with every obstacle thrown his way so far and has earned the position where he is.
3. Trickery
Simply put, the former Netherlands youth international does not shy away from a nutmeg.
He creates width for this team by hugging the touchline, eventually receives the ball and then has the opposition left-back (and the covering centre-back) at his mercy when.
Ebioweri often uses his close ball control, quick feet, and imagination to pass defenders with ease, drive into the box and create goalscoring opportunities.
He is a defender’s nightmare and his successful take-on numbers exemplify this.
If he can translate this trickery and inventive style of play to the Premier League, he will quickly become a fan favourite and hopefully and player that manager, Patrick Vieira, can eventually rely on.
In other Crystal Palace news, the South London club is also keen on signing Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill.