If you'd told a Palace fan last season that Jordan Ayew would become a key man for Crystal Palace, they’d have laughed at you.
One year later, however, after a resurgence in form under the management of Roy Hodgson, Jordan Ayew has signed another contract extension with the Eagles, lasting until the summer of 2025. All parties involved are ecstatic with the deal, with Hodgson describing Ayew as “one of the best signings the club has made”, and Ayew expressing on social media how glad he is to be remaining at a "special club".
In his five years at the club, Jordan Ayew has seen his role shift from a goal-scoring striker to a direct yet defensive-minded winger. He offers much-needed stability (albeit at the cost of attacking output) when on the pitch, and his experience will be crucial within a young squad preparing for an upcoming managerial transition. However, the decision to extend the 32-year-old’s contract has caused some confusion amongst Palace fans. Some have suggested that Ayew is no longer needed, especially due to the exciting signing of Matheus França - even when taking Ayew’s strong start to the season into account.
Ayew's Resurgence - designed by @FinPSD
Palace’s number nine has started the season with a newfound maturity, putting the team on his back in order to grind out results. Any club would struggle to find a player who offers the same qualities as Ayew, and keeping him for another year will be crucial to the club’s long-term plan. The Ghanaian international is a master of football’s hidden arts, winning more fouls than any other player in the Premier League, and has started to see his dirtier side recognised by fans in the form of Palace’s August POTM award.
This season is not an anomaly for Ayew. Admittedly, he wasn’t at his best in a Palace shirt under Patrick Vieira, but excluding that spell under the former France captain, Ayew has been a figure of consistency for Palace. As the saying goes, “the best ability is availability”, and since joining the club in 2018, Ayew has only missed two games through injury - an outstanding record.
Ayew has earned his contract extension through his consistency, as well as his leadership qualities, which are crucial in a developing squad such as Palace’s. These talents were exercised on the international stage in September, where Ayew captained his national team for the first time. His additional year at the club should serve as a positive to players such as Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Malcolm Ebiowei, who would surely benefit from emulating the Ghanaian’s conduct and work ethic.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi would do well to adopt Ayew's mastery of the hidden arts.
On the other hand, the development of Palace’s potential superstars may be stunted by the decision to retain Ayew, especially if Hodgson stays at Selhurst Park beyond this current season. Ayew will be one of the first names on the team sheet every week due to his aforementioned experience, thus limiting minutes for the younger wingers in the squad. Still, healthy competition for places within a fairly thin squad is a positive for any club.
Palace will surely look to add to their attacking depth after the summer’s failed pursuits of players such as Luis Sinisterra and Hugo Ekitike. Keeping Ayew will only improve this depth further, meaning Palace should be able to compete stronger on all fronts.
Ayew’s form should hopefully become a permanent fixture now that he has the security and psychological safety of a new contract, which, in tandem with his experience, will serve both Hodgson and his successor well. Whoever replaces Hodgson can expect Ayew to continue in the same manner and role that earned him a 7th year at the club, and will have a dedicated and reliable servant to call upon week-in, week-out.