Can summer signing Eberechi Eze help goal-shy Crystal Palace improve their attacking output this season?

Eberechi Eze was one of a number of Championship regulars who enjoyed a standout 2019-20 campaign. The QPR play-maker was one of the players of the season in the second tier, and has been duly rewarded with a move to the Premier League. The 22-year old completed his move to Crystal Palace at the end of August, and made an immediate impression during a routine pre-season victory over League One Charlton Athletic. Despite finishing nine points clear of the drop last season, the South London club were the second-lowest scorers in the top division, with relegated duo Watford and Bournemouth proving more prolific than the shot-shy Eagles. Manager Roy Hodgson will be hoping that the arrival of the energetic attacking midfielder can help improve the club's fortunes in front of goal.

✍️ Welcome to the Pride of south London, @EbereEze10! #CPFC | https://t.co/utMcYSDkhb

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 28, 2020

An Exciting Arrival The England U21 star was subject to plenty of interest this summer, with a number of clubs including Leeds United and West Ham reportedly interested in the Greenwich-born creator. However, it was Crystal Palace who won the scramble for his signature, with the former Wycombe loanee visibly delighted to sign a five-year contract at Selhurst Park.

Eze's stats are hugely impressive with 14 goals in 46 Championship starts. He also chalked up eight assists and averaged 2.2 shots per game. Although he is occasionally prone to neglecting the defensive side of the game, the PFA Player of the Year nominee always plays on the front foot and is capable of creating opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.

He averaged three successful dribbles per match last year, and his blistering pace allows him to glide past opposition defenders with ease. Although he may take a few weeks to acclimatise to life in the Premier League, he simply exudes confidence and is unlikely to be fazed by the occasional setback. His creative flair should help Palace carve out chances, and although he may occasionally misplace a pass, or run into a blind alley, the sheer effort and endeavour he displays throughout the 90 minutes will surely help him earn plenty of admirers amongst the Eagles' faithful.

Eagles Struggles in the Final Third 2019-20 was Palace's lowest-scoring season in the club's history, and supporters were left visibly frustrated by their side's inability to put the ball in the back of the net. Although Eze is unlikely to single-handedly change their fortunes in the front of goal, he will give their attack far more impetus and should stretch the opposition back-line, which is likely to result in opportunities for the likes of Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha.

Roy Hodgson's conservative tactics may be partly to blame, and whilst the erudite 73-year old should be commended for maintaining the Eagles' top-flight status once again, he must allow his side to play with the handbrake off next season. The new arrival will be unable to flourish if the former England boss asks him to roll up his sleeves and track back at every opportunity.

No Palace player notched double figures last season, with attacking left-back Patrick Van Aanholt ending the campaign as the club's joint-third highest scorer. With Andros Townsend, set-piece specialist Luka Milivojevic and the aforementioned Wilfried Zaha all perfectly capable of creating moments of magic, the South Londoners should be far more efficient in the final third next year.

Ebere Eze says he was given license to roam by Palace boss Roy Hodgson in today's 3-0 friendly win over Charlton.

Story by @smsmth_ and pictures by @pedwards72. pic.twitter.com/fWh63VytI3

— Richard Cawley (@RichCawleySLP) August 29, 2020

Lack of Entertainment It isn't just the club's fans who have bemoaned their side's lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, with many of the Eagles' televised ties offering very little excitement for the neutral. With the Premier League's global appeal showing very few signs of slowing, Crystal Palace matches were regularly broadcast in several different countries including India and the USA.

Although Hodgson's men failed to deliver on the entertainment front, NBC Sports still saw a 1% increase in viewers last year, making it their most-watched Premier League season ever. The New York-based broadcaster is expecting that upward trend to continue, and ahead of the new campaign, they have signed a multi-million dollar agreement with one of the country's leading online sportsbooks. The English top-flight remains an incredibly popular competition to wager on, with many US online sports betting sites offering 'soccer' betting as standard, as well as introductory free bets to be used on the sport. For beginner bettors, LegalBetting also explains how to bet on soccer and gives soccer betting tips and strategies.

Although Eze is unlikely to completely reshape the way Palace play this season, his arrival does suggest that the club are actively looking to address their dearth of firepower. He will be aiming to get into double figures during his maiden Premier League campaign, however, even if the goals fail to arrive, his attack-minded philosophy should help get fans on their feet, and make their games a far more watchable prospect over the coming months.