Michy Batshuayi's Loan Move to Crystal Palace Is Ideal for All Parties

Michy Batshuayi's two goals at Selhurst Park on the final day of the 2018/19 season were the difference as Crystal Palace beat AFC Bournemouth 5-3. It was the last outing for the Belgian striker during his loan spell in south London, which saw him record his joint-best goals tally in the Premier League to date.

The 26-year-old scored five goals in 11 league appearances, while netting another two in the FA Cup.

Batshuayi has since returned to parent club Chelsea, where he stayed for the most recent campaign, scoring just one goal in 16 Premier League appearances.

Frank Lampard's arrival last summer saw the English manager utilise Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud as his preferred central strikers - which often meant that there was little room for Batshuayi in the starting lineup. And to make matters even worse for the forward, Chelsea have also dipped into the transfer market this summer to sign Timo Werner, another player likely to be picked over Batshuayi.

With game-time opportunities at Stamford Bridge expected to dry up for the Belgian next season, another loan spell is his only real hope of gametime.

According to BBC Sport, Batshuayi will extend his Chelsea contract before returning to Selhurst Park for a season-long loan. For all parties involved, this is excellent news.

With the Belgian low down the pecking order of strikers at Stamford Bridge, a loan move will ensure he still gets regular game-time, and in this case, he'll be doing it in the Premier League.

This, and the fact the striker will be based just across London, allows Chelsea to keep a close eye on Batshuayi's development as the season progresses.

As for the player himself, Roy Hodgson knows him well after taking Batshuayi on loan in 2019. The pair have a good relationship, with the Belgian also familiar with the majority of the Crystal Palace squad - but there is one new face he will be glad to see.

Eberechi Eze joined the Eagles from Queens Park Rangers earlier this summer, with Palace paying £19.5m for the young talent.

With 14 goals and eight assists in the Sky Bet Championship last season, Eze can bring a new creative spark to Crystal Palace, one that was perhaps missing during Batshuayi's previous loan spell with the club.

Regardless of the conclusion of the seemingly never-ending Wilfried Zaha transfer saga, Crystal Palace now have a variety of strong attacking options, which takes the creative burden away from the Ivorian.

Jordan Ayew's nine Premier League goals and two assists saw him named as the club's Player of the Season - alongside Batshuayi and Eze, there should be enough goals and creativity alone to see Palace improve on their 14th position last season.

Batshuayi has recently been away on international duty with Belgium, where he bagged a brace in a 5-1 win over Iceland in the Nations League group stage. The 26-year-old has now scored eight goals in his last five starts for the Belgium national team.

The striker spoke to the media after the recent fixture, and confirmed plans for a return to Selhurst Park are well underway - in what would be efficient business for all parties involved.